The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Wednesday that offensive coordinator, Matt Canada will return for his third and final year on his contract. As expected, the news did not receive a very warm welcome from Steeler fans and local media. Especially after rumors had been circulating since the bye week that the team would move on from Canada once the 2022 season was finished.
Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada (left) and quarterback, Kenny Pickett (right) during training camp in 2022. | Photo Credit: Associated Press
As the days turned into weeks, it became clear that the Steelers were in fact not going to part ways with their play-caller and the news was finally made official this week. Many fans took to Twitter and social media to express their displeasure in bringing Canada back for the 2023 season including 93.7 The Fan's own, Andrew Fillipponi.
This is a dark day in Steelers history.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 18, 2023
Why would the Steelers accept the worst offensive play-caller in the AFC and be good with that? This isn't opinion. Look at the facts. 19 ppg in 2 years.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 18, 2023
As many fans will tell you, it truly does not make sense as to why the Steelers are bringing back Canada for another season after how horrendous the offense performed. The Steelers finished the season tied for 26th in total points and points per game in 2022. All of the teams that finished behind the Steelers in total offense, either fired their head coach or offensive coordinator at some point during or after the regular season. So the fact the Steelers are going to continue to stick with Canada in such a crucial time in rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett's career, makes me wonder what is going on behind closed doors.
Over the last few seasons in Pittsburgh, we have seen a continuation of subpar coordinators on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. There are only two answers as to why that is, it is either Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is continuing to make questionable hires, or the Rooney Family is simply not giving Tomlin the freedom and financial ability to hire the top candidates on the market.
One thing is for certain about Tomlin, he embraces familiarity. The majority of the recent additions to Tomlin's staff over the recent years have something in common, that being that there is a connection between Tomlin and that specific coach whether that relationship stemmed from inside or outside the Steelers organization. This applies to the hiring of Canada as well back in 2020.
Canada served as the Pitt Panthers' quarterbacks coach in 2016 before leaving for LSU to become the offensive coordinator for coach Ed Orgeron. He was also the coach who recruited Tomlin's son Dino to play at the University of Maryland. So after all the scrutiny from a disastrous two seasons as the coordinator for the Steelers, it begs the question, "Does Tomlin favor familiarity and relationships over making a change that this franchise desperately needs?"
Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada (left) and head coach, Mike Tomlin (right). | Credit: Matt Freed/Post-Gazette
Another example is the hiring of former offensive coordinator, Randy Fichtner. After the Steelers parted ways with Todd Haley as offensive coordinator at the conclusion of the 2017 season, they were in desperate need of a new highly sought-after coordinator to take over the play-calling for which was arguably the best offense in the NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger (7) looks at a replay on the scoreboard with head coach, Mike Tomlin, second from right, offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, second from left, and quarterback, Mason Rudolph during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger did not play in the second half. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Instead of trying to land a young up-and-coming candidate, they ended up hiring Fichtner who at the time, had no prior offensive coordinator experience. Fichtner had been on the Steelers' staff since 2007 as the wide receivers and quarterbacks coach and served as coordinator until the conclusion of the 2020 season. It was frustrating for Steeler fans to see Fichtner's offense struggle due to it being a questionable hire to begin with.
Do The Rooney's Have More Of An Influence On The Steelers' Coaching Staff Hires Than We Think?
All of the questionable hires by Tomlin over the last decade also raises another question, "Are the Rooney's handcuffing Tomlin into making these low-quality hires that are financially friendly decisions for the franchise?"
During Tomlin's coaching tenure in Pittsburgh, the Steelers haven't made that splash hire or gone out and got the biggest name in the coaching market. There could be many reasons for this, but Rooney's not giving Tomlin a substantial budget is a reasonable possibility.
The Steelers have consistently had one of the most talented offenses in the entire NFL with weapons in nearly every skill position. Along with the tremendous talent on the field, they also are the definition of stability when it comes to coaching. It would be hard to imagine that coaches across the football landscape would not be chomping at the bit to be the play-caller in Pittsburgh. The only possibility I could think of as to why a coach wouldn't want to join the Steelers is simply the lack of ability to compete with other teams when it comes to their salary.
At the end of the day, Canada has one year left on his contract and if we don't see drastic changes next season, he will likely be packing his bags at the conclusion of 2023. Luckily, the offense has plenty of talent that can make up for the subpar play-calling. Brighter days are ahead in Pittsburgh, regardless of who is running the offense.
What do you think? Do you think Tomlin values familiarity too much and that is the reason Canada is staying in Pittsburgh for 2023? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below or on my Twitter @collinlschmitt.
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