By Matt Stuart | Published | No Comments
The Pittsburgh Steelers have fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada, the team announced Tuesday. It is expected that Eddie Faulkner, the running backs coach, will fill in for the remainder of the season. According to CBS sports, Mike Sullivan, the quarterbacks coach is expected to call plays.
The move was not all that unexpected. Canada had been under an increased amount of scrutiny this season as the Steelers offense and the development of second year quarterback Kenny Pickett have sharply regressed.
According to a report from ESPN.COM, head coach Mike Tomlin gave his reasons on why he felt the time was now to make a change.
“I did not come to this decision lightly. “It’s my role to absorb and protect those that I work with. This doesn’t feel like that. I’m not assigning blame or deflecting in any way. … Just rest assured that this decision was not taken lightly. I’ve got a lot of respect for Matt personally and professionally.”
Per ESPN.COM – Brooke Pryor
Mike Tomlin on Matt Canada being relieved of his duties: "I did not come to this decision lightly … it's my role to absorb and protect those that I work with. This doesn't feel like that. I'm not assigning blame or deflecting in any way. … just rest assured that this decision…
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) November 21, 2023
Canada became the offensive coordinator in 2020, replacing Randy Fichtner. Two years later the Steelers drafted quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round of the draft. Pickett played in thirteen games his rookie season, but three only seven touchdowns, compared to nine interceptions. Pickett managed just 2,404 yards, for a completion percentage of just over 63% last season.
Pickett’s numbers are objectively worse this season. Pickett, through ten games so far this season, has just 1,702 passing yards, with just six passing touchdowns. Pickett has thrown four interceptions, to go along with four fumbles.
Pickett’s six touchdown passes are tied with Zach Willson for the fewest in the NFL this season, with a minimum six games played.
Under Canada, the Steelers were 29th in the league in total scoring, and 30th in the league in passing yards.
Pickett has just 13 career touchdowns in 23 games started. That is the fewest amount of touchdowns per at least 500 passing attempts since 1970, according to CBS Sports.
Tomlin made it clear though that Pickett will remain the starter for the rest of the season. The Steelers are still in the playoff mix, and with a record of 6-4, are just a game and a half behind the AFC North leading Ravens going into week 12.
The Steelers are on the road this week against the Cincinnati Bengals, who lost their starting quarterback last week to a hand injury.
