After the Steelers' offense failed to ignite, Pittsburgh decided to end their time with Matt Canada.
Canada served as offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers for just more than 2.5 seasons before being officially sacked on Tuesday.
It is my responsibility to take in and safeguard my coworkers. It isn't like that here. I am not trying to shift the blame or divert attention in any manner.... You may be confident that we did not rush into this choice. On a personal and professional level, I hold Matt in high esteem.
NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero said that Steelers quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan and running backs coach Eddie Faulkner will split coordinator duties after Canada's termination. Sullivan, a former Giants and Buccaneers coordinator, will call plays while Faulkner serves as temporary OC.
Canada replaced Randy Fichtner as Steelers OC in 2021 after coaching quarterbacks in 2020. Canada, a longtime collegiate offensive coordinator, was anticipated to revamp Pittsburgh's passing and motion system. The Steelers received a counterfeit system that was uncoordinated, rarely pressed the defense deep, and inconsistent.
The Steelers never ranked higher than 23rd in yards and 21st in points under Canada in 44 games as OC. In 2023, Pittsburgh ranks 28th in yards and points. Pittsburgh's passing game under Kenny Pickett has been notably poor in 2023, ranking 31st in yards and TDs (32nd previous season).
A 13-10 loss to the Browns on Sunday was another bitter loss. First-half Steelers had 64 total yards, including 15 net pass yards, the second time this season they have zero points and fewer than 70 yards. Pittsburgh has 77 net passing yards, the fewest since Week 17, 2019, with Devlin Hodges at center.
"There's a lot of layers to it," Tomlin said of leaving Canada. This incorporates our latest performance. You seem to know when to be direct. not speaking carelessly or lightly. As a longtime employee, you know when you're there. A lot of factors."
Despite offensive difficulties, the Steelers kept Canada in the summer, hoping continuity would help Pickett improve as a QB. The young quarterback has labored through 10 games of his second season, eroding that faith.
In a press conference with reporters on Tuesday, Tomlin reiterated his continued confidence in Pickett, the team's primary quarterback (Mitchell Trubisky serves as the backup at this time).
"Because I work with him daily," Tomlin remarked. "I've been honest with you about his desire to work and my experience and what it says. He'll do anything. He works tirelessly. Football justice exists. They typically find what they want. That's why I'm always enthusiastic about his development."
Pittsburgh is 6-4, No. 7 in the AFC, with a -29 point difference, joining Seattle, -2, as the only two teams in 2023 with winning records and a negative point differential through Week 11.