2 Highly-Criticized Steelers Players Gave Matt Canada New Play-Calling Ideas For Week 7

The Pittsburgh Steelers generated a ton of hype entering the 2023 season because of a strong finish to 2022 as well as an aggressive, and highly regarded free agency period. The team was responsible for added expectations after the starting offensive unit scored five touchdowns in as many drives during the organization's three preseason matchups. Unfortunately, things haven't gone as planned and the Pittsburgh offense, called by Matt Canada and led by Kenny Pickett, has only found the end zone five times in five games to start the regular season. An early Week 6 bye has fans hoping the inconsistencies will be resolvled.

The biggest talking point surrounding the Steelers offense has been regarding Canada and the franchise's shocking decision to, not only retain him for 2023, but keep him around after the bye week following a horrendous offensive performance through the team's first five games. Canada could be the scapegoat right now, but there are other issues facing his group.

Pittsburgh drafted running back, Najee Harris in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He is averaging under four yards per carry throughout his career and many have called for his backup, Jaylen Warren, to take over the workload. That's not bound to happen just yet, but Harris is running out of time if he wants the Steelers to pick up his fifth-year option after the 2023 season.

The offensive line has recently been retooled, but has come under heavy scrutiny along with Canada and Harris. Mason Cole, who has been the team's center since signing in free agency back in early 2022, has not impressed in his second season with the team. Harris spoke with the media on Wednesday and noted that he took one less day off during the bye to dive into the film with Cole and bring recommendations to the coaching staff.

“I stayed here an extra day with Mason Cole to look over some film to see what tendencies we need to change. Some stuff we need to change as an offense and took that to the coaches.”

Some players likely couldn't get out of the business fast enough with the bye week approaching, but Harris and Cole clearly thought they had some work to do and hung around a bit longer.

Steelers Criticized Play-Caller In Canada Open To Players' Ideas

Harris went into more detail about going to the coaches about his and Cole's ideas. Canada, who is likely fighting for a chance at earning a new contract over the course of the next three months, is allegedly going to listen to two players who have not been overly productive in 2023. There could be some new schemes in place come Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams.

“Yeah, he’s really receptive. It’s going to be in this game plan. The stuff that we talked about, me and Mason, is happening now. It’s a lot more, (with) better looks into stuff.”

The Steelers offense has had plenty of issues since Canada became the play-caller in 2021. It feels as if every year, offensive players are asked about a lack of production and at least one contributor mentions bringing ideas to the staff. Aside from having a couple of 1,000-yard seasons in his career, Harris hasn't played like a first-rounder and Cole is far from being an All-Pro. Are they really the two that should have passed on an extra day off to offer up ideas to Canada?

Pittsburgh's offense looked like a completely different group after the bye week in 2022. Whether it was because of a simple reset, or that the extra time off gave coaches and players more time to fine-tune glaring issues is unknown. The main hope among Steelers fans, however, is that what Harris and Cole went over with Canada is just the beginning of a revamped, and more competitive offense.

What are your thoughts on Harris and Cole offering up ideas to Canada? Let us know in the comments below!

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