Steelers Insider Detailed A Clear Scenario That Ends In OC Matt Canada Being Extended After 2023 Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers don't seem to be making a change in regards to the offensive play-calling after the 2023 Week 6 bye. Matt Canada will continue to be at the helm and fans will have to likely suffer through a rather disappointing scheme for the remainder of the season. It's hard to predict who could potentially take over in 2024 if Mike Tomlin decides to move on from his play-caller on offense, but no one seems to think there is any chance that he would receive a new contract. One insider believes there is a path for that to happen, though.

Pittsburgh's offense has been horrible. There is no need to sugarcoat that widely-known fact. In 2022, the group excelled after the bye week and now that the Steelers are coming off an early break in 2023, the hope is that a lot of struggles coming from Kenny Pickett and co. will be resolved. Could a better-than-expected second half performance lead to Canada staying in Pittsburgh?

Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, hosted a fan chat on Monday. A reader was curious about Canada's job security and if there is any way that the most-criticized man in the Steel City could be rewarded with another contract. Unfortunately for most fans, it's not a guarantee that the organization will mix it up in 2024 if things change for the better in 2023.

"I think they'd have to put up a 400-yard game, maybe a 30-point performance, and probably go deep in the playoffs. He's dug a hole."

The fact that Canada could still find a way to hold onto his title after three horrible years in unfathomable. He does have a history with Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Pickett, but if Pittsburgh doesn't celebrate a seventh Lombardi Trophy in February of 2024, there is no excuse to not move on from Canada. Batko is spot on when he says the play-caller has dug a hole, but a 30-point performance will mean nothing, especially when fans know the defense would be responsible for 14 of them.

There has been a lot of talk regarding former Steelers quarterback, Byron Leftwich joining the coaching staff. There could be a number of options in 2024 to replace Canada and Batko wants to make sure that everyone knows Leftwich shouldn't be looked at as the perfect answer. A fan demanded the franchise hire Leftwich, but that might not be the best approach, per Batko.

"Byron Leftwich got fired in Tampa after their offense couldn't do much of anything last season. I'm not saying that makes him a bad OC, and he's certainly got a better NFL track record in that chair than the Steelers' current play-caller, but let's not pretend he's some can't-miss perfect fit."

The Steelers are not pleasing a fan base that is completely disgruntled when it comes to Canada. The horrible offensive output since 2021 has been one of the more embarrassing situations throughout the league. 

Steelers Have Internal Options To Replace Canada

Tomlin is known for rewarding coaches within the organization. It's not necessarily expected for him to potentially let Canada walk after the 2023 season and hire some big external name. Mike Sullivan is currently the team's quarterbacks coach and could very well compete with offensive assistant, Glenn Thomas, to be the play-caller in 2024.

The thought of Canada returning in 2024 will send a chill down any Steelers fan's mind. It has been a failure of a tenure for him and change is needed. It's hard to truly evaluate Pickett until he is in a different scheme on the offensive side. One has to wonder if a 400-yard performance, 30-point game, or deep playoff run is worth it in 2023 if it means that Canada is retained.

Do you think there is any chance that the Steelers hold onto Canada after the 2023 season? Let us know in the comments below!

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