No one is necessarily singing the praises of Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada. His group absolutely got better the second half of the year and a strong running game was instrumental in the team's 7-2 stretch to end the season, but that shouldn't put him on a pedestal. No one is quite sure yet if that will be enough to keep his job, but with one year remaining on his contract, it's a possibility that he hangs around for another year or even longer. The writing should be on the wall for head coach, Mike Tomlin, however, when he realizes that the offense was unable to accomplish a simple feat that the organization hasn't had not happen since 2000.
Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin stands and stares into the distance on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 preseason game. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Quarterbacks Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky, along with their former teammate, Chase Claypool, only threw 12 total touchdown passes in 2022. The last time the offense had a number that low was in 2000 when Kordell Stewart threw 11 and Kent Graham threw one. In what could have been accepted 23 years ago, the NFL is now a passing league and to be successful, an embarrassing 12 touchdown passes is not going to get the job done.
Pittsburgh was dead last in the category and it wasn't particularly close as the New York Jets finished second to last with 15. Based on the play-calling, it appeared as Canada was both cautious and nervous in the red zone. It's understandable to be more conservative than the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs with Patrick Mahomes due to Pickett's youth, but the whole playbook can't just be thrown into the garbage can because no one wants to turn the ball over near the end zone.
Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) gets ready to make a throw in Week 17 of the 2022 season against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
At least back in 2000, the quarterbacks threw less interceptions than touchdown passes, but that wasn't even the case in 2022 as Pickett and Trubisky combined to turn the ball over through the air 14 times. The performance in the red zone was quite baffling, but what was even more jaw-dropping was the longest touchdown play of the season was Minkah Fitzpatrick's pick-6 against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 until Pickett and George Pickens tied that 31-yard score in Week 18 against the Cleveland Browns.
On top of it all, the team's #1 wide receiver, Diontae Johnson did not catch a single touchdown pass, breaking the all-time record for most receptions (86) without catching a pass for a score. The overall ineffectiveness is a direct reflection of Canada's inability to do what he is paid to make happen: score points. This should be the first thing that Tomlin and the front office look at when trying to decide if he has earned a third season.
No one's asking the Steelers to lead the league in touchdown passes or even be in the top five with such a young offense, but being dead last along with the team just ahead of you still having three more is cause for concern.
San Francisco 49ers' rookie quarterback and "Mr. Irrelevant" Brock Purdy has started just five games and connected for more touchdown throws (13) than Pittsburgh did all season long. Purdy is in totally different system, but there is no excuse for someone to start less than 33% of games and be more successful near the end zone than a team was for an entire season.
Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada on the field at a practice during 2022 training camp. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
There's no way to spin this troubling statistic and a rookie quarterback leading the way most of the season is no excuse. Whoever is calling the plays in 2023 needs to focus on getting the ball in the end zone more and through the air to boot. It wouldn't hurt to mix in a 30+ yard passing touchdown in the first 17 weeks of the season, either. Canada failed miserably in this category and it might be one of the main reasons he doesn't keep his job.
Did you know the Steelers' offense threw for the fewest amount of touchdowns for the franchise since 2000? Let us know in the comments below!
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