In a historic move for the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach Mike Tomlin has executed a major shakeup in the organization by firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada, making good on his commitment to make significant changes. This decision, less than three weeks after Canada transitioned from the booth to the sideline, is a rare mid-season coordinator dismissal in Steelers’ history.
Canada’s tenure as offensive coordinator was marked by mixed results and statistical struggles, making him the least successful coordinator in terms of points per game, offensive efficiency, QBR, and yards per passing attempt, per carry, and per game during the Tomlin era. The decision to part ways with Canada was largely driven by the team’s performance, with Tomlin emphasizing the importance of results in the football business.
While Canada faced challenges, including a transitioning quarterback in Kenny Pickett and various changes in the offensive lineup, the lack of progress and consistency led to the decision to let him go. The hope was high for improvements in the 2023 season, especially with an incumbent starting quarterback, but the offense regressed instead.
The move away from Canada serves as a vote of confidence and a challenge to Pickett, giving the Steelers the opportunity to evaluate the young quarterback’s performance without the influence of Canada’s scheme. With the departure of Canada, quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan will assume a more significant role in playcalling, focusing on simplifying Pickett’s playbook, emphasizing the ground game, and leveraging the play-action passing game that has proven effective for Pickett.
The decision to remove Canada might pave the way for a clearer direction in Pickett’s development, reminiscent of Ben Roethlisberger’s early struggles that saw improvement with changes in offensive coordination. While the Steelers won’t implement an entirely new offense immediately, adjustments to playcalling and emphasis on Pickett’s strengths could shape the team’s performance in the remaining seven games of the season.
The focus now is on engineering victories more fluidly and generating points, with Tomlin aiming for a more dynamic and successful offensive approach. The decision to part ways with Canada is a significant step that could lead to positive changes or reveal deeper challenges in the Steelers’ offensive strategy. As the team navigates the final stretch of the season, the impact of this move will become clearer, potentially determining whether Canada was the root cause of offensive struggles or a scapegoat in a challenging season.