Pittsburgh Steelers' Matt Canada is in his third season as offensive coordinator with the team. During this time, he has (and hasn't) done a lot that angers and confuses fans, and even analysts. One peculiar tendency of his that seems to particularly irk folks, is the fact that he sits in the booth instead of being on the sideline during game days. It is something that Canada feels more comfortable with and he has said he feels gives him better direct access to the quarterback. But to everyone's surprise, before the Week 9 game against the Tennessee Titans, it was announced that he would be calling the plays from down on the field. After the game, Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett weighed in on how he felt it went.
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Steelers OC Matt Canada called plays from the sideline for the first time on Thursday night.
The Steelers offense has been struggling through their first several games of the season, particularly on offense. It seems apparent that they are not firing Canada during the season at this point, however, it felt like something has to give. According to Head Coach Mike Tomlin, this is part of an initiative for change they hope will help them find some increased success and consistency.
"We're making move with the intention of being better, so we'll see moving forward," said Tomlin.
While it might not be the big change that fans were hoping for, it does feel like a small acknowledgment that Tomlin understands that what they were doing wasn't working. During his postgame press conference, Pickett was asked what it was like having Canada on the sideline and if he felt it helped the team at all.
"It was good, I think you know we communicate really well with the headset, so no one else really gets a chance to do that with him. So I think him being able to go over to each position group and kind of get on the same page with them and let them know what we're thinking going into each drive, I think it definitely was a positive."
And while they were far from perfect, they were better. The Steelers won the coin toss and elected to receive, a move that felt like they were sending a message that they aren't just a fourth quarter bounce back team. They even managed to score on their opening drive against the Titans. That touchdown matched the production of all of their first seven quarters of the season combined.
The Steelers Needed A Change, Even A Small One
This tiny bit of change couldn't have come at a better time for the Steelers. Canada has been battered by the media and the fans for the "Saturday offense" he seems to call. We still have other teams telling us their defenses know what we are going to call before the play happens.
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Steelers rookie Broderick Jones blocks during the Thursday night football game against the Tennessee Titans in 2023.
Going into the game against the Titans, through those first seven games of the season, the Steelers ranked 30th in the league in yards (271.1 per game) and 29th in points (16.1 per game) which includes two defensive touchdowns. They have only scored more than 17 points three times in 2023 and have yet to score more than 26. On top of that, they aren't moving the ball, constantly going three and out, and thus have only gained more than 300 yards twice.
However, during their Thursday night clash with the Titans, they totaled the second-most offensive yards this season with 326 and the third-most offensive points with 20. The game also featured wide receiver Diontae Johnson's first touchdown in 22 games, ending what had become a drought of mythological proportions.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett celebrates Diontae Johnson's first touchdown in 22 games.
The Steelers defense once again did their part, as they have for the majority of the season. It was good to have Cam Heyward back in the lineup as they managed to hold Derrick Henry to fewer than 100 rushing yards. Both T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith had sacks on rookie quarterback Will Levis as he started his second game. Because this edge rushing duo is superhuman, Highsmith had two sacks and Watt made his without his helmet. Linebacker Kwon Alexander made a clutch interception in the waning moments of the game that ensured the win for the Steelers.
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Pittsburgh Steelers edge rushing phenom, T.J. Watt, managed to sack Titans QB Will Levis despite losing his helmet.
The Steelers will be able to have a few extra days to recuperate this week as they don't play again until Sunday, November 12th when they will host the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium.
While the offense was not anywhere close to flawless this week, they did look better, perhaps having Canada on the field did make a positive impact. Either way, the hope has to be that they continue to build on the small successes, motivate each other, and set their egos aside to help the team win.
What did you think of the offense against the Titans? Do you think Canada being on the field made a difference at all? Click to comment below!
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