The Steelers Have 1 Colossal Reason For Firing Matt Canada And It's Even Bigger Than Play-Calling

It would be hard to find a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers who doesn't want Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada updating his résumé. Since being promoted in 2021, the play-caller has yet to impress anybody when it comes to the his offensive scheme. It doesn't matter if the group was led by a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger or 2022 first-round pick, Kenny Pickett; nothing about Canada has had NFL defensive coordinators losing sleep at night. The beginning of the 2023 season has proven that Canada should have never been retained, but the Steelers will continue to Steeler.

The Steelers Offense Won't Drastically Change If Canada Is Fired

It's very clear: Canada is not meant to be an offensive coordinator at the NFL level. The Steelers aren't going to reinvent the entire scheme if he does end up being fired in 2023, so don't expect the group to move mountains and become one of the best units in the league. Fans are begging for changes, but it seems as if Head Coach Mike Tomlin believes throwing the pads on the guys all week during practice is the answer to getting back on track.

Anyone with a lick of knowledge of football can watch Pittsburgh's offense and evaluate it as an utter failure. None of the plays work consistently and the strategy is insanely predictable. Steelers fans are sick and tired of watching an inferior product that leads to a lack of first downs, inefficient play-calling and an unnecessary amount of field goals.

Let's not sugarcoat it. Pittsburgh's offense is horrible and the man calling the plays has failed game after game, month after month, and year after year since 2021. That's not why Tomlin should fire him after the team's Week 5 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, though. It's impossible to completely alter a philosophy in 2023 that has been in place since Pickett was drafted.

Steelers Could Learn A Lesson From Major League Baseball

Let's leave the NFL for a moment. The Philadelphia Phillies fired future Hall of Fame Coach Joe Girardi after a brutal 22-29 start in 2022. The group was loaded with talent and the franchise spent millions to put together an unbreakable roster. Firing Girardi allowed Bench Coach Rob Thomson to step in and completely change the morale and vibe in the clubhouse. This is the most recent, but not only example, of a termination leading to a complete demeanor change among professional athletes. 

Next thing you know, Philadelphia became the hottest team in baseball and made it all the way to the 2022 World Series. It wasn't Girardi's philosophy against Thomson's that was the difference. It was the shift in the team's mindset and the fresh smell of change after a rough start that led to an indescribable confidence. The Steelers should have been taking notes.

While Canada doesn't lead the team, he is in charge of what has, arguably, become the most important piece to a successful NFL operation in present day. If fans watch closely, it doesn't necessarily seem like the players on offense are giving it their best efforts at all times. No one can contribute it to fatigue as they can't be that tired given the fact that Pittsburgh is ranked nearly dead last in time of possession.

The Steelers are currently one of the worst offenses in the NFL; and have been since Canada took the reins. The offense doesn't need to be reinvented; and it's important to realize that it won't be midseason in 2023, either. The struggling group needs a glimpse of hope and hanging on to a play-caller who has almost a zero percent change of being extended at the end of the season is not the correct answer.

How much worse could it get? Canada is in charge of a group that has no creativity, passion or improvisation. Something has to change and if quarterbacks coach, Mike Sullivan or offensive assistant, Glenn Thomas has to take over play-calling duties, it can't get much more. The unit, led by Pickett, needs to feel that the front office and important figures within the organization are open to change something that isn't working. It's not unfair to say firing Canada would change the attitude in the locker room.

The plays are predictable. Nothing has worked. The Steelers offensive players can't possibly be happy with what they are being asked to do. There is way too much talent to lay a dud week after week. No one can do a worse job than Canada has so a change could ignite a fire that no one saw coming.

Do you think the Steelers offense would buy into the same offensive philosophy if someone else was in charge? Let us know in the comments below!

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