We suspected it was the case, but now reports are out that Matt Canada is returning for a third season as Steelers’ offensive coordinator in 2023 and that his job was really never in jeopardy.
Post-Gazette Steelers insider Gerry Dulac writes that according to sources, Canada will indeed be back, citing the continued development of starting quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Fans and most hosts on our station were calling for Canada to be fired in-season after the team got off to a 2-6 start.
Even players were taking vailed shots saying they could only run the plays that were called when they were struggling.
But the Steelers did finish the season going 7-2 and were close to the final playoff spot.
A big issue remains though, the offense can’t score.
The Steelers only scored more than 20 points in two games this season, losing one of those, the other was the last game of the season win against the Cleveland Browns.
The Steelers have been near the bottom of the NFL in point scored the past two seasons under Canada with the 26th offense in 2022.
The lack of big plays and a bland offense led to the Steelers averaging under 20 points a game the past two years.
Canada has one more year left on his deal, so if the offense can’t get it going in 2023, they’ll likely let his contract expire, since they seemingly just don’t fire people.
But the offense did improve as the season went on, thanks in big part to a healthy Najee Harris and a run game finally being established.
Pickett said recently on Cam Heyward’s podcast that he enjoys working with Canada, the man who helped recruit him to Pitt in 2015.
“We spend a lot of time together and he picks my brain on what I like and how I like it and throughout the game, asking me to rank plays and likes to see the game form the quarterback’s point of view and you know keeps things different,” said Pickett.
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