The Pittsburgh Steelers have moved on from Matt Canada as an offensive coordinator. The offense looked more fluid in the Week 12 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers only generated 16 points, but they snapped a 58-game streak when they broke 400 yards of total offense. Canada’s stint as the worst offensive coordinator in the NFL is over.
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Steelers President Art Rooney II roams the sidelines before a 2022 preseason matchup at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
The controversy surrounding Canada’s dismissal is still very much alive. There have been conflicting reports about who made the decision to let Canada pursue opportunities in another venue. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s initial reporting was that Art Rooney II decided to fire Canada. Tomlin contradicted that report last Tuesday at his weekly press conference. Pittsburgh's front office and head coach retreated behind the impenetrable veil of the Steelers' inner workings, and the press and fans were left to wonder.
On Tuesday, Brian Batko released the latest episode of his weekly podcast Chipped Ham and Football. Ed Bouchette, the now-retired Steelers beat writer, joined him as a guest. Bouchette, who covered the Steelers for decades before retiring, spoke up publicly about who he felt was responsible for firing the offensive coordinator.
“I was wondering when the parade was going to be held,” Bouchette quipped. “I’m conflicted on this just a little bit, Brian. I do think he was a terrible offensive coordinator and had to go. I’m surprised Mike hired him in the first place. Then second place kept him on this long. It is not Steeler-like to fire him, and don’t be dissuaded by what anyone else has to say. Art Rooney fired him.”
Ron Schwane / Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin showed dangerous signs of not recognizing the reality of where the 2023 Steelers are after the Week 11 loss to the Browns.
Tomlin has avoided national scrutiny over the incident. The debate shows are too busy campaigning for him to be named NFL Coach of the Year to ask a straightforward question. Why did Tomlin insist on retaining Canada if the Steelers' offense was so bad? It is extraordinarily rare for a coach to avoid scrutiny for creating dysfunction. Rarer still is that he is praised for cleaning up a mess he created in the first place.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Makes Emphatic Statement On Who Exactly Fired Matt Canada
Bouchette covered the Steelers from 1985 to 2019. The veteran reporter thought the poor offensive performance and Kenny Pickett's regression were crucial factors in the decision. He has observed the Steelers' opaque inner workings as close as anyone could claim. Bouchette covered Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin’s coaching tenures. He was unambiguous in who he thought was responsible and in his support for his former colleague.
“Gerry Dulac reported that, I fully believe that,” Bouchette emphasized. “I’ve heard it from elsewhere, too. The fact that Gerry reported it, you can take it to the bank.”
Dulac has been covering the Steelers for 23 years. His reporting was questioned after Tomlin strongly responded that it was his decision. For his part, the veteran reporter has not pushed back on Tomlin’s version of events. Ultimately, Canada is no longer employed. Debating the how and the why has been pushed to the side after the offense demonstrated marked improvement in Cincinnati. Bouchette, however, wanted to drive the point home.
“Mike saying he fired him, that to me is semantics,” Bouchette concluded. “Yeah, he gave him the word, you’re fired. Any Head Coach doesn’t want anyone to think that the boss ordered him to fire one of his assistants. That does not reflect well on the coach. I don’t know if Art, at this point, should be butting in. I know he’s the owner, but the coaches are hired by the coach, supposedly. It’s his domain, and he should be the one who decides.”
The fact is that the Steelers had not fired a coach during a season since Bert Bell fired himself during the 1941 season. It is absurd to think that the owner would not have a hand in a decision that breaks an eight-decade-long precedent. Bouchette isn't buying it. Tomlin probably broke the news to his offensive coordinator, but it seems likely that, at the very least, Rooney gave Tomlin the authority to execute the termination.
AP Photo
Steelers Team President Art Rooney II and Head Coach Mike Tomlin oversee practice during the 2021 minicamp in Pittsburgh.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Are you more inclined to believe Dulac after Bouchette's vigorous defense of his colleague? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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