Last month, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin addressed offensive coordinator Matt Canada‘s job status and noted that he would not make a “knee-jerk reaction” with respect to Canada’s position. Given that the Steelers generally refrain from making a major coaching move during the season, and since Canada was retained for 2023 to offer some continuity for second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, it seemed reasonable to expect that the OC would at least finish out the year in Pittsburgh.
However, that may not be the case. While Tomlin again said several days ago that he would not be making a change “at this juncture,” sources close to the situation tell Ian Rapoport of NFL.com that Canada could find himself on the hot seat if Pittsburgh’s offensive output does not improve.
Based on the offense’s performance under Canada to date, it is difficult to forecast such improvement. Since getting promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator in 2021, Canada has been unable to coax much production out of his unit. The Steelers dropped from 22nd in points scored in 2021 to 24th in 2022, and while they jumped from 25th to 19th in total yards, the passing offense took a major step back.
Of course, there are always going to be growing pains with a young passer like Pickett. Nonetheless, it is easy to understand why the Steelers faithful are frustrated and have taken to gracing their team with “Fire Canada” chants. Pittsburgh presently ranks 29th in total offense, is averaging just 15.5 points per game, and is one of four teams that have scored fewer than ten points in multiple games in 2023. As a result, Canada could soon find himself on the wrong side of Steelers history; the last time the team made a significant in-season coaching shakeup was in 1998, when then-HC Bill Cowher removed then-OC Ray Sherman’s play-calling duties.
Like the Steelers, the Saints are averaging just 15.5 points per game, and according to Rapoport, offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael is not necessarily a safe bet to make it through the end of the season. In fairness, New Orleans was 2-0 and was leading its Week 3 contest against the Packers 17-0 when a shoulder injury forced quarterback Derek Carr out of that game, which the team ultimately lost by an 18-17 score. Then, the Saints dropped a 26-9 decision to the Bucs in Week 4 while deploying a less-than-healthy Carr under center.
Still, even the Saints’ victories and near-victories have been earned largely on the strength of the defense, and they are just one of three teams that have scored fewer than 20 points in every game this season. Carmichael, a longtime Sean Payton lieutenant, has been New Orleans’ OC since 2009, so it would be somewhat jarring to see someone else in that role. But while HC Dennis Allen noted on October 2 that it was too soon to make a staff change, it sounds as if a change could be in the offing if there is no substantial improvement.
There was absolutely no way to see this coming.
Wow. Right out of nowhere.
Canada on the hot seat? I’m shocked, literally. But not at him being on the hot seat, but rather that he hasn’t been fired yet.
Oh Canada doesn’t make it past Monday as OC.
Mike Tomlin is to blame, as there was no reason to bring Canada back as OC this year.
Canada is horrible. Predictable, unimaginative, and neeed to go two years ago.
Tomlin needs to feel the same pressure. I think if things aren’t turned around in a massive way after next season he goes. There’s a reason he wasn’t extended before this season per the usual and the timing with contracts lines up with tearing down and restarting. Dark days ahead for Pittsburgh’s two relevant teams
Wait… Canada is on the hot seat???? Mind. Blown.
Canada’s struggles are well known, but I doubt that the current Steelers roster has potential to do much more than what they have so far. Why? Well, that offensive line. It’s going to severely limit what any coordinator or quarterback is going to get on the field. Canada deserves blame for underperforming for the last few years, but I doubt that his firing will necessarily solve the issues. Pittsburgh needs to invest-heavily, and correctly-in that line in the offseason to keep Pickett’s regression from becoming permanent.
As for Carmichael…the Saints have lost a lot of talent, but most of it has been through regression. Thomas has been average since Bree’s’ final season, Kamara has been nearly the same or absent, and the line has regressed as well. They can fire Carmichael all they like, but Dennis Allen is also a terrible coach. The defensive talent has helped him out over the years, but Allen is unable to manage the entirety of the team and is far too predictable a strategist. I would not be surprised-rather I would fully expect-to see a coaching change by the end of next year, in my personal opinion, if not before.
My main question would be whether Loomis, who has been a long tenured and rather productive GM, would initiate the rebuild or be a casualty of one. He has been one of the NFL’s more creative GMs, and is probably the best in the league at managing (read: ignoring) the cap. It’s not likely that his replacement is more capable, but he is also the person who thought that the Allen/Carmichael combination could simply carry on the Payton system without Payton. I suppose the Dolphins discovery and sudden retirement put Loomis in a bad spot, in fairness.
Matt Canada is the Nathan Peterman of OC’s.
Just the worst I’ve ever seen.
We’re getting the Baltimore-Pittsburgh game in New Jersey and heard a very loud chant of “Fire Canada” when the Steelers went 3-and-out to start the 2nd half.
It may take a while for the Steelers to replace Canada. Interviews will begin with Afghanistan and end with Zimbabwe.