Matt Canada was hired to diversify and innovate the Steelers' staid shotgun-centric offense. But he can't do that without a strong working relationship with Ben Roethlisberger.
With that in mind, Canada's comments Tuesday about being deferential to the future Hall of Fame quarterback are being taken out of context.
In a session with reporters, including the Fan's Josh Rowntree, Canada, who's spent 15 years as an offensive coordinator in college football, said Roethlisberger would run the offense. "We're gonna do what Ben wants to do and how Ben wants to do it," he said. "Our job is getting every player in position to make plays. There are changes with terminology. That's an adjustment for Ben. He's been great in learning it. Doing really well with it. He has adapted easily as we all knew we would."
The first sentence of Canada's remarks — "we're gonna do what Ben wants to do" — are understandably getting a lot of play. Indeed, it would be a mistake for the Steelers to solely entrust Roethlisberger with the offense, considering he's 39 years old and coming off a dismal finish. He threw 10 interceptions in his last seven games, including four against the Browns in the Wild Card Round.
But Canada didn't indicate he's going to hand over his playbook to Big Ben. Two sentences later, Canada acknowledged Roethlisberger will have to adjust to the "changes in terminology."
That doesn't sound like allowing Roethlisberger to do whatever he wants. In fact, Roethlisberger admitted earlier this month it's been difficult making some adjustments.
"It's definitely harder when all of a sudden something looks the exact same but it's called something completely different," Roethlisberger told reporters June 1. "It's a big challenge but that's the game of football; learning new things and new challenges. Coach Canada's offense is one that hopefully will be a good one. We need to execute the plays that he calls and hopefully we'll be better than we were last year."
Make no mistake: Canada runs a much different offense than what Pittsburgh deployed last season. Pro Football Focus published the numbers Monday, and they're eye-opening. Canada's last college offense, the 2018 Maryland Terrapins, ranked 117th in the country when it came to lining up in shotgun. The Steelers, meanwhile played in shotgun at the fourth-highest rate in the NFL.
If this partnership is going to work, there will probably have to be some compromises. Still, Canada was clear he's been implementing a more up-tempo style of play.
"We would certainly continue to use tempo, and use the things that Ben is very good at to let the offense be the most productive it can possibly be," Canada told reporters. "There are changes with terminology and how we are calling things, which has been a challenge for Ben, but he has been great at learning it. I don't have any concern about Ben doing anything we want him to do."
Hmm, so now it's Roethlisberger doing what they want him to do. More than anything, Canada seems to be saying he's trying to fuse Roethlisberger's strengths with his scheme.
That's good coaching, not acquiescence. While it's in vogue to rip Roethlisberger, let's remember: He has a stellar 17-year NFL track record.
The Steelers aren't just resting on that, however. In an obvious attempt to beef up the running game, they drafted Najee Harris in the first round. Kevin Colbert wouldn't have selected Harris if he planned to merely use him as a complimentary option.
And he probably wouldn't have named Canada his new offensive coordinator if the plan was to keep allowing Roethlisberger to blindly chuck it. Canada's comments right now are part of the verbal dance. His play calls will speak louder than his words.
