Steelers' Matt Canada "Will Get A New Contract" If Kenny Pickett "Figures It Out" Detailed An Analyst

The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to run for a total of 361 total yards in Weeks 9 and 10 of the 2023 NFL season. In the same two games, that both ended in victories, quarterback, Kenny Pickett threw for just 286 yards combined. The offensive line deserves an immense amount of credit for plowing the way for running backs, Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. The downside has been the realization that, while a consistent rushing attack has the chance to be a possibility, teams in the NFL aren't winning championships with signal-callers who can barely, or not even, crack the 200-yard mark in the passing game.

The hot topic in Pittsburgh throughout the season has been about Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. He is in his third season of being in charge of the offense and his unit has yet to amass 400 total yards in a game during his tenure. In 2023, despite a 6-3 record, the Steelers have yet to out-gain an opposing team. Some of the blame for the struggles is slowly shifting in the direction of Pickett.

Dorin Dickerson and Adam Crowley host The Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan on weekdays and brought the situation up in conversation on Wednesday morning. Dickerson was adamant about the fact that Canada has a path to a contract extension at the end of 2023. It's Pickett, however, who will determine the play-caller's fate. He needs to execute better in order to make Canada look like an established and capable coordinator.

"If Kenny figures it out a little bit and this offense stays the way it is right now, Canada will get a new contract," Dickerson said.

It's fair to begin questioning Pickett's development in year two. While Pittsburgh sits at three games above .500 heading into Week 11, he has only thrown six total touchdown passes. The biggest positive of his game has been a lack of turnovers, but that will seriously come to the test against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, a franchise that will be without their starting quarterback, Deshaun Watson.

It's a crazy scenario to think about. Could Canada really receive an extension if the offense performs well and exceeds expectations in the final two months of the 2023 regular season? The fans might burn the city down, but hey, anything for a friend of Head Coach Mike Tomlin, right? The offense has severely underperformed for some time now and Canada is the more likely scapegoat, not Pickett.

The Steelers will need to see if another coordinator can come in and maximize Pickett's potential. If the offensive line continues to provide great running lanes, but Pickett isn't able to capitalize on play-action passes (which they need to call much more of), Dickerson is right to imply that Canada won't earn another contract. However, the thought of him being rewarded if Pickett starts to play better is a scary one for fans.

Mark Kaboly of The Athletic agreed with Dickerson in a recent mailbag. He wrote that he believes Canada will be out after the 2023 season, but there was a small caveat. If Pickett finds a way to show immense improvement over the team's final eight regular season games, then there could be a window open for Canada to cash in with an extension.

Steelers Have Clear Path To Playoffs In Second Half Of 2023 Season

Pittsburgh begins a tough two-game stretch as they will travel to play the Browns and Cincinnati Bengals in Weeks 11 and 12. Even a split of the two contests will lead to the team being 7-4 entering the month of December. 

The Steelers' first three games of the final month of the year versus the Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts are all very winnable. A record of 10-4 with a chance to finish with 11 or 12 wins combined with significant growth from Pickett might just lead to another year or more with Canada calling plays.

Do you think there is any chance that the Steelers extend Canada? Let us know in the comments below!

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