The Pittsburgh Steelers are .500 after two games of the 2023 season. The opening game against the San Francisco 49ers was a soul-crushing 30-7 rout. It was followed by a thrilling 26-22 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Both games had one very significant detail in common. The Steelers scored one touchdown on offense.
-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett")
Matt Freed Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett gets rid of the ball as he falls down during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The Steelers closed 2022 with a 7-2 record, and the offense was not spectacular, but it was improving. In the 2023 preseason, they raised expectations sky-high when the offense and Kenny Pickett posted a perfect five-for-five scoring touchdowns with the starters on their limited possessions. The passing attack looked phenomenal. Fans knew that the specter of Matt Canada was lurking in the background.
On Thursday, Ray Fittipaldo from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette joined The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller to discuss the Steelers offense. Andrew Fillipponi asked the Steelers beat reporter how he received Canada’s address to the media on Thursday afternoon and what it might mean for his job security. Fillipponi and Chris Mueller got a surprising reaction from Fittiipaldo.
“Poni, it’s interesting,” Fittipaldo began. “Last season, another year on the contract, you sort of get it. They don’t want to pay someone to go away. I think if this lingers, not just one more game, but if this continues for weeks, it doesn’t get any better, I could see them saying, 'We will eat this remaining contract and have someone call the plays for the rest of the season.'”
Steelers' Matt Canada Has The Audacity To Respond To Latest Criticism By Saying "Offense Was Good Enough To Win"
The revelation was a surprising reversal that is starting to gain momentum within the local media. Canada’s arrogant answers about the 2023 offense on Thursday eroded any support he might still have in Pittsburgh. The long-time observers of the Steelers know that Pittsburgh rarely fires coaches, and a midseason removal of Canada would be a surprise move for the most stable franchise in the NFL.
“It’s a lot easier to do that when the contract expires after the season,” Fittipaldo explained. “I will point out, do you know that it is going to be better if Mike Sullivan takes over the play-calling duties? It’s still Matt Canada’s playbook, right? I don’t know if that would be a positive or a negative. I do think it is more likely to happen this season because the contract expires. I’m not predicting that Matt was very confident today.”
The Steelers' steadfast loyalty to coordinators finishing their contract is a relatively new development for Pittsburgh. Dan Rooney and his father, Art Rooney, were not shy about dismissing assistant coaches. Art Rooney II has seemingly placed more faith in Mike Tomlin to pick his staff publicly. What goes on behind the scenes is anyone’s guess because the Steelers are not telling.
Harry Cabluck / Associated Press
Steelers' Dan Rooney and his dad Art Rooney during the 1970 NFL Draft.
The Steelers offense has been plagued by lousy play by Pickett, combined with the most predictable offense in pro football. Those two traits are bad, but Canada is a horrible play-caller. Steelers fans groan whenever Calvin Austin III goes in motion because everyone on Earth interested in watching a game knows what is coming. Ill-timed Canada jet sweeps and bizarre trick plays have killed more possessions than smallpox.
"We'll never know the answer to this," Fittipaldo concluded. "If they sucked in the preseason, would the criticism be as bad right now? I think people are more upset because they cannot figure this out. They were so good in the summer, now they stink. A common refrain is we don't know what's going on, but we are trying to fix it. It's kind of a mystery to them, too."
That is not a comforting sentiment to fans expecting much more from this offense. Pickett was supposed to take a big step forward and has regressed instead. The people responsible for fixing it, Canada and Tomlin, don't understand why they are struggling, according to Fittipaldo. If that is true, the 2023 Steelers have a huge leadership issue.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) and Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada (left) having a conversation.
The Steelers are hopeful that the Las Vegas Raiders defense that held them to 13 points on Christmas Eve is the panacea to get the offense on track. The Raiders have traditionally given the Steelers fits on the road, but it will be the first time they have met in Las Vegas. The offense needs to produce for the Steelers to win on Sunday night, or it could be the beginning of the end for Canada.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Will the Steelers dismiss Canada during the season? Please comment below or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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