After nearly three whole seasons of terrible offensive play, the Pittsburgh Steelers have fired Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. It is the first time since 1941 that the Steelers have made such a move in-season. The announcement was made by the Pittsburgh Steelers on X.
"Matt Canada has been relieved of his duties as offensive coordinator. I appreciate Matt's hard work and dedication and I wish him the best moving forward in his career," Tomlin said in a statement.
Statement from Coach Mike Tomlin: pic.twitter.com/kitcpLnyqF
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 21, 2023
The move comes as the Steelers have reached many historical lows as an offense. The Steelers have been outgained in every game and are ranked No. 28 in total offense and scoring. They punted nine times against Cleveland and starting quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for just 106 yards, without a completion longer than 14 yards. Pickett has fewer touchdown passes (13) in his first 22 starts than any quarterback in the last 20 years.
Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Matt Canada during the 2021 season.
Following the game on Sunday, Head Coach Mike Tomlin said the team needed to get back into the 'lab' and work. Apparently, they needed to work without Canada.
“We just came up a play or two short, but that happens,” Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin said, delivering his usual candid assessment. “That’s what happens when you compete in this league on days like today. We own that. We compliment them for doing enough to win. We’ll go back to the lab and continue to work.”
This move comes on the heels of a locker room that's obviously over the offensive struggles. Running back Najee Harris was very candid during his postgame press conference after the team's loss to Cleveland on Sunday.
Kareem Elgazzar / The Enquirer, USA TODAY Sports
Steelers game, Larry Ogunjobi (99) tackles Najee Harris (22) for a loss during the 2021 season.
"You could do two things," he said. "You could look at the record and say, 'OK, we're still good right now,' or we could look at the record and be like, 'If we keep playing this type of football, how long is that s--- going to last?' I look at it like, 'How long that s--- going to last?' Y'all could look at it like it's a good record, but I mean it's the NFL. Winning how we did, it's not going to get us nowhere."
Is he wrong? No. The Steelers record is mostly fool's gold. They're 6-4, but they've barely been able to score any points. They can't manage a 400-yard offensive performance. They can't even muster a 300-yard performance. Pickett has regressed in season two. It's been a disaster.
Gene J. Puskar / ap Photo
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) understands the pressure on him to get the 2023 Steelers to that next level as NFL contenders
There has been no announcement yet on who will take over the play calling duties. But initial rumors are that running backs coach Eddie Faulkner will take over as interim offensive coordinator with quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan calling the plays. Sullivan was hired after the 2020 season, and has had previous play-calling experience. He was offensive coordinator for the New York Giants from 2016 - 2017.
Are you happy about this decision? Let us know in the comments!
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