If you've been following along, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada has led quite an inept offense for the past two seasons now. Just five games into his second year in the position, and things look are getting even worse. Somehow, the offense has been just as bad in 2022 so far, if not worse. Through five games, the offense ranks 28th in the NFL in yards per game and 30th in points per game. In 2021, they ranked 21st in points per game and 23rd in yards per game. At this point, it's become a reoccurring theme.
Credit: Jordan Schofield/SteelerNation (JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
Canada speaks to the media every Thursday throughout the season. In the first month, he's been clear that the offense needs to score more points and that he accepts the responsibility for the offense under-performing. ESPN Steelers reporter, Brooke Pryor tweeted out what Canada had to say this Thursday:
Matt Canada: "We have to score points, bottom line."
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) October 13, 2022
Yes, he is correct. What's frustrating for fans is the fact that he reiterates this same message on a weekly basis. Yet, the offense continuously fails to do just that: put points on the board. Many thought switching quarterbacks would help things immensely, whether they thought Canada was the problem or not. Kenny Pickett provided a spark in the second half of the Week 4 loss to the New York Jets.
In Week 5, well, things didn't go well. The offense put up just three points, which were scored on the opening offensive drive. Zero points from the offense from that point on. To be fair, Pickett and the offense were facing one of the best defenses in the NFL in the Buffalo Bills. Still, it was a step back from everyone involved offensively.
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 28: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Matt Canada of the Pittsburgh Steelers look on during training camp at Heinz Field on July 28, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
While it's still early in the Pickett era, as he will make his second career start this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it seems we've reached the same point with the offense that we reached with Mitch Trubisky. The offense overall has more upside with Pickett, but there seems to be one consistent factor here: Matt Canada. Canada seemingly held back the offense in 2021 with future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger under center for his last season in the league.
As the team's offensive coordinator continues to relay the same message on a weekly basis, it's obvious that his time with the team likely (should) is nearing an end. That probably wouldn't happen until the end of the season, but it's a move the front office will have to make. Even head coach, Mike Tomlin didn't seem as defensive of Canada in his press conference this week, possibly displaying some of his frustration. Regardless, the offense needs to pick things up and do it fast.
Are you growing tired of Canada's same weekly comments? Should the team fire him in the middle of Pickett's rookie season? What does the offense need to do in order to improve the rest of this season? Do you have any optimism for this team in 2022? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section, yinz!
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