Steelers' Matt Canada Takes Crushing Blow From Past NFL GM "He's Not Qualified"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a multitude of superior offensive coordinators since the coaching position was introduced to Pittsburgh in 1983. Names like Bruce Arians, Ron Erhardt, and Kevin Whisenhunt are synonymous with great offensive performances. After Matt Canada took the reigns in 2021, there has been nothing but disappointment. Canada hasn't produced a high-production team yet, and NFL general managers are questioning if he is fit for his job. 

To start off the 2023 season, the Steelers have one of the worst offenses in the NFL, including a rushing attack that ranks 31st in the league, along with a quarterback that's tied for throwing the second-most interceptions in the league. In their Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns, the offense combined for just nine first downs and one touchdown, while the defense scored two and arguably won the game for Pittsburgh. Canada's offense has been historically bad for the Steelers, and people are starting to notice.

On 93.7 The Fan, former Steelers executive and Buffalo Bills General Manager Doug Whaley had some choice words for Canada, outlining how poor the offense has looked and stating that bad performances like this ultimately start at the top - the offensive coordinator. 

"The biggest problem for the [Steelers] offense is, in my opinion, the coordinator. I've been on record since he got hired with that one. He's not qualified."

Before coming to the Steelers, Canada coached at the University of Pittsburgh and had a successful campaign during his time there, turning heads in the NFL. Many were quick to criticize Canada during his time at Pitt as well, as he had a very talented team built for him and only one stellar year for the Panthers. Whaley completely agrees with these sentiments, saying he didn't do much in college football and hasn't achieved anything in the NFL. 

"He had a great [2016] year at Pitt, but he didn't do anything since then, and he definitely didn't do anything in the pros."

It's not just NFL headmen who find Canada to be a problem, either. During Week 2, Acrisure Stadium was booming with "Fire [Matt] Canada" chants. It seems everyone in the Steel City isn't happy with how the offense is being coached, and it takes a lot of turmoil for firing chants to happen so early in a season. 

What Can The Steelers Do?

Head Coach Mike Tomlin has already stated that he isn't ready to make any big changes to the coaching staff, so Canada is likely here to stay for the rest of the season. A Steelers insider also sided with Tomlin, writing a very simple "nope" to the idea of firing Canada midseason. However, coaching turnovers can be rather surprising and quick, as the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator walked away from his job to be with his family and focus on his health, effective immediately. If the Steelers continue down this road of a bottom-five rated offense, coaching changes could come sooner than everyone originally thought. As of right now, it's still too early in the season to definitively say the Steelers will continue to play this poorly on offense. 

Pittsburgh has built a very young, talented team that still needs a lot of work on smoothing out the rough edges. Names like Kenny Pickett, George Pickens, Broderick Jones, Spencer Anderson, and Jaylen Warren all haven't been in the league for more than three years, and those names include some of the most important positions in an offense. The Steelers still have a lot of room to grow and improve, but the main question is if Canada is the right guy to teach these guys how to be elite in the NFL. Being somewhat inexperienced in the pros himself, Canada is at a slight disadvantage versus other tenured offensive coordinators. Canada also missed when Pickett played for the Panthers, as he left Pitt the years before Pickett would arrive. Canada has an uphill battle to prove that he's worthy of an offensive coordinator position in the NFL, and fans along with players are hoping he's up to the task. 

Do you think Canada will be a successful offensive coordinator? Will he get fired, and if so, when? Give us your thoughts in a comment.

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