Canada joined the Steelers as quarterbacks coach in 2020 and was promoted to OC in 2021, replacing Randy Fichtner. A longtime college offensive coordinator, Canada was expected to modernize Pittsburgh’s offense, utilizing motions and updating the passing operation. Instead, the Steelers got a knockoff scheme that lacked cohesion, rarely got deep pressure on defense and lacked consistency across the board.
In 44 games as OC, the Steelers never ranked better than 23rd in yards and 21st in points under Canada. In 2023, Pittsburgh currently ranks 28th in yards and points. The passing game has been particularly brutal with Kenny Pickett under center, with Pittsburgh ranking 31st in yards passing and 31st in TD passes in 2023 (tied for 32nd in TD passes last season).
The Steelers have scored fewer than 400 total yards in 58 straight contests, including Canada’s all-time play-caller.
Sunday’s 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns was also brutal. The Steelers scored 64 total yards in the first half, including 15 net pass yards – just the second time the Steelers had zero points and less than 70 total yards in the first half of a game this season. For the game, Pittsburgh produced 77 net passing yards, its fewest since Devlin Hodges was under center in Week 17, 2019.
“There are a lot of layers to it,” Tomlin said of the timing of his decision to move from Canada. “Our most recent performance is a component of that. I think you know you have to be clear and concise about the answer when you’re out there. Again, that’s not saying that and not taking the situation lightly at all I am. But just being in the role I’ve been in for a while, you just get to know it when you’re there. The totality of a myriad of variables.”
In the offseason, the Steelers remained with Canada despite obvious struggles on offense, believing that continuity as a rising QB would be good for Pickett. That confidence has evaporated as the young quarterback has struggled badly through 10 games of his sophomore season.
Tomlin told reporters Tuesday that Pickett will remain the team’s starting QB — Mitchell Trubisky is currently the backup — and that his confidence in the second-year QB remains strong.
“Because I work with him every day,” Tomlin said. “I’ve been really transparent with you guys about him and his willingness to work and my experience and what he tells me. This guy will do anything and everything. He works very hard. … There’s such a thing as football justice. Those guys usually get what they’re looking for. That’s why I’m constantly optimistic about their path of growth and development.”
Steelers fans have been calling for Caranda’s firing for over a year. Tomlin had resisted the change at every turn, repeatedly supporting his OC and brushing aside criticism. Ultimately, the moribund offense was too much to ignore because a potential playoff season could be over.
Despite the -29 point differential, Pittsburgh is 6-4, No. 7 in the AFC, joining Seattle, -2, as the only two teams in 2023 who have a winning record and a shutout through Week 11. There is a negative digit difference.
