The Pittsburgh Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada on Tuesday, answering a months-long call from fans for the 51-year-old to be removed from his post.
Canada’s third season as the Steelers OC was arguably his most difficult one, as followers of the Black and Gold have been making their displeasure known since September.
Following the team’s 13-10 loss against the Cleveland Browns in Week 11, running back Najee Harris said, “There’s just a lot of stuff that just goes around that you guys don’t see,” referring to the offensive struggles. Harris added: “I guess I’m trying to say it’s just, I’m just at a point where I’m just tired of this s—.”
After Sunday’s defeat, legendary Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger blasted his former team on his podcast, “Footbahlin,” saying: “They need to look themselves in the mirror as an offense.”
It hasn’t just been Steelers fans calling for Canada’s job, as Pittsburgh Penguins followers chanted “fire Canada” during their season-opener against the Chicago Blackhawks in October.
The Week 11 loss marked the fourth time in the last six games that Pittsburgh’s offense put up 20 points or fewer. Quarterback Kenny Pickett threw for only 106 yards in the defeat, making it the fourth straight game he’s posted 160 yards or fewer. He’s thrown only one touchdown during the stretch.
The Steelers rank second-to-last in the NFL in passing yards per game (170.0) and fifth-to-last in both total yards per contest (280.1) and points per game (16.6).
Despite their offensive ineptitude, Pittsburgh is still 6-4 and would earn the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC if the season ended today.
