A Certain Somebody The Steelers Need To Have In The Organization In 2023 Remains On His Couch At Home

This might be Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator, Matt Canada's favorite time of the year. The organization may not be playing meaningful football games, but he is out of the spotlight and isn't receiving the criticism that he has been hammered with throughout the first two years of his time as the team's play caller. The franchise decided to retain him for 2023 to give him a chance on the last year of his contract to earn a second one. It's quite possible he is in his final year with the organization if he is unable to creatively generate a more explosive offense.

The idea of a senior assistant was prominent for Pittsburgh in 2022 after Brian Flores was brought in to help with the defense as a whole and specifically, the linebackers. The idea was originally tossed around to start the 2023 offseason that the franchise may look to bring in someone in a similar position on the offensive side to be another mind in the room with Canada and quarterbacks coach, Mike Sullivan.

To this point, there has been no traction in that area, but there still is a very prominent, Super-Bowl winning coordinator on the market who also has an incredible amount of familiarity with the Steelers organization. After four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Byron Leftwich was fired back in January and still has yet to find a new home.

Tampa Bay had a total record of 39-27 during his four years and while it's well known that Bruce Arians was the main play caller, Leftwich was was still very much involved in the game plans for years and has a Super Bowl ring to show for it. He would be a perfect addition to Pittsburgh's offensive coaching staff.

If Canada is unable to earn another contract following 2023, the Steelers will be searching for a new offensive coordinator and traditionally, hire from within in those situations. That leaves Sullivan, a former lead play caller for the Buccaneers and New York Giants, as the most likely to get the job as we sit today. However, if Leftwich is also on the staff, there would now be two in-house options.

The offensive line has completely been revamped in free agency and a young group absolutely has the talent and potential to take major strides in 2023. It all starts with the leadership and coaching staff, however. It can't hurt to have another intelligent person in the room who has the ability to get the best out of the unit.

The addition of Leftwich would also provide quarterback, Kenny Pickett with someone who has been in the same room as individuals like Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, and Arians, among others. The value of having Leftwich wouldn't just be for play calling and strategic purposes, but also to help mentor a promising young signal-caller.

Steelers Bringing In Leftwich Would Be Low-Risk, High-Reward Move

Leftwich isn't recognized as a top offensive mind in the league and that's a fair statement to make. He is, however, way too promising of a young mind to be sitting at home any longer. He may not have proven himself enough to earn another lead job, but having him on the staff as a senior assistant has been discussed amongst members of the media and would make sense.

The low-risk, high-reward move could end up turning into a years-long relationship if Canada has another subpar 2023. If Leftwich heads elsewhere, he will likely be off the market for several years. As he sits at home without a job, the Steelers would be wise to reach out and make him an offer.

Would you support the addition of Leftwich in the offensive coaching room? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation