Ex-Steelers Quarterback Takes Obvious Shot At Matt Canada's Credentials Compared To Arthur Smith's

The Pittsburgh Steelers knew something had to change with their offense after the 2023 season. Even though they completed Head Coach Mike Tomlin's 17th consecutive non-losing season, it was still JV-level play. They fired Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada before the season ended and ultimately wiped their entire quarterback room clean. This forced Steeler Nation to hold its breath with anticipation once the new offense was unveiled in 2024. One former Steelers quarterback is singing the team's praises, saying this is the difference they needed. 

That difference came in multiple ways. They hired new Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith and brought in two former starting quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. They continued to beef up their offensive line, including drafting center Zach Frazier, who has been a difference-maker from day one. The Steelers are currently sitting at 7-2 after beating the Washington Commanders. 

Longtime Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch spoke with the hosts of the Randy Baumann Morning Show on 102.5 WDVE about this new offense. Now that the Steelers are performing so much better, Batch was asked who was to blame for how poorly they played before and who gets the credit for how much better they are now. 

"This is the huge difference between a college offensive coordinator and an NFL offensive coordinator," explained Batch. "That's exactly what you have right here. You know, it's one thing to call plays that used to be called on them, and that's what we had in the past, and unfortunately, it didn't work. When you have Arthur Smith, who's a veteran play-caller, he knows how to set formations up, you see something in the first half, and you are able to make that adjustment to hit a big play as the game goes on. That's why you do certain things and try to show some formations and motions to try to get it to better take on a defense. Arthur Smith just seems like he is one step ahead of defenses right now. Full credit goes to him."

When Canada joined the Steelers in 2020 as their quarterbacks coach, he had never coached in the NFL before; instead, he coached solely at the college level. He spent only one year in that role before being promoted to offensive coordinator. While Canada initially had supporters who believed he would bring a new and more innovative offense to Pittsburgh, it didn't take long to realize he was in over his head. 

Smith, on the other hand, got his first NFL job in 2011 when the Tennessee Titans hired him as a quality control coach. He spent a decade working his way up the ladder, including a stop as offensive coordinator, before he became the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons. While Smith might not have excelled as a head coach, he did as a coordinator, bringing that wealth of experience to the Steel City. 

Steelers' Russell Wilson Is Also A Factor

While Batch gives Smith the bulk of the credit for transforming the offense, he adds that Wilson is a difference-maker. Many fans were initially turned off by the decision to sign him, believing the Denver Broncos' rhetoric about him being a washed-up diva, but Wilson had proved them all wrong. He also proved that Tomlin knew exactly what he was doing when he decided to start him. 

Batch said he has seen the offensive players flourish under Wilson's leadership. He said this is exactly why he was voted team captain, and Tomlin put so much faith in him. He said that Wilson has all the intangibles and has been rubbing off on his teammates, like George Pickens. A very frustrated team is now a team that is collectively celebrating each other's success. 

What do you think about Smith's impact on the team? Click to comment below. 

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