The Pittsburgh Steelers fired Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada following their 13-10 loss to their conference rivals, the Cleveland Browns.
Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 21, 2023
"I did not come to this decision lightly, to be really transparent with you," said Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, "It is my role to absorb and protect those that I work with, and this doesn't feel like that. I'm not interested in assigning blame or deflecting in any way.”
While the Steelers have a 6-4 record, placing them two games back from the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North, their offensive struggles have been evident all season. Pittsburgh’s offense is ranked 28th in offensive points per game (17.9) and total yards per game (310.1) while recording 4.8 yards per play, 30th in the NFL, and only converting 52% of their red zone opportunities for touchdowns, 27th in the league. The Steelers' opponents have outgained Pittsburgh in every game of the season and have a +29 point differential against the Steelers.
Steelers players have been quick to comment on their poor offensive performance throughout the season, with the most recent comments coming from first-string running back Najee Harris.
"You could do two things," said Harris, "You could look at the record and say, 'OK, we're still good right now.' Or we could look at the record and be like, 'If we keep playing this type of football, how long is that going to last?' I look at it like, 'How long is that going to last?' Y'all could look at it like it's a good record, but it's the NFL. Winning how we did it's not going to get us nowhere."
Tomlin says he fired Matt Canada. You buying it? pic.twitter.com/QXnRd8y36D
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) November 21, 2023
According to Mike Tomlin, Two people will fill the Steelers offensive coordinator positions: Running back coach Eddie Faulkner and Quarterback coach Mike Sullivan. Faulkner will serve as the coordinator, while Sullivan, an offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Giants early in his career, will fill the role of play-caller.
Tomlin reassured that the change in OC would not affect Kenny Pickets' starting quarterback position moving into their Week 12 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Paycor Stadium, in a matchup of two struggling teams, as Cinncinati’s quarterback Joe Burrow will miss the remainder of the season due to a torn ligament in his right write.
A win in Cincinnati would project the Steelers to second place in the AFC North, providing the Cleveland Browns lose to the Denver Broncos on November 26th.
