PITTSBURGH — At his annual season wrap-up, which continues to come no later than a week into the NFL playoffs, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin didn't hand out many strong endorsements.
But he sounded more encouraged by the work of offensive coordinator Matt Canada than he did a year ago at this time, shortly before parting ways with Randy Fichtner. Tomlin didn't want to express "satisfaction with any component" but added that Canada "brings things to the table that are attractive."
"I'm optimistic about Matt and what he's capable of doing," Tomlin said. "I acknowledge that we took a step back. There are some obvious, tangible reasons why that occurred. I'm not going to get into all of that. I'm not going to seek comfort in that. We've got to be better. We intend to be. And that's going to require a lot of planning and work, players and coaches."
Before moving on from Fichtner following three seasons, Tomlin simply stated that he wasn't ready to assess any coaches individually after the wild-card loss to the Browns. But he at least gave somewhat of an assessment of Canada, who would have the shortest tenure of any coordinator under Tomlin if he isn't back in 2022.
In fact, the Steelers haven't given an offensive coordinator less than two years since Ray Sherman's lone campaign in 1998, a 7-9 finish. Canada's offense failed to score a touchdown in seven of the final eight games, though his unit was littered with rookies and inexperienced starters, while being helmed by a 39-year-old Ben Roethlisberger who offered little to no mobility.
"We are proceeding with that assumption," Tomlin said of Roethlisberger retiring, a certainty that hasn't been officially announced yet by the quarterback or the organization. "Mason [Rudolph] and Dwayne [Haskins] have had their moments, but they'll have to prove that."
And thus, the Steelers would be back in something of a chicken-or-egg situation with their offensive coordinator. Canada's system didn't work well with the roster assembled for 2021, but there's no guarantee that next season's nucleus will be an upgrade.
"I don't know that I'm anticipating any, but I don't know that I'm going to be surprised by any," Tomlin said of staff changes, then echoed comments from his opening statement. "I understand change is a part of our business and I don't run away from it. I'm not overly resistant to it. I don't run to it, as well. I don't change for the sake of changing. I'm open to change where appropriate."
While Canada is the toughest decision the Steelers brass has to make, it looks as if another will be made for them. The team's defensive coordinator since 2015, Keith Butler, has discussed retirement, Tomlin confirmed.
"He and I haven't had an opportunity to sit down," Tomlin said. "I'm doing player [exit] interviews, he's doing player interviews. We haven't had a detailed conversation in that regard."
And even more change could be in the offing for Tomlin at the highest levels of the organization. Although, if longtime general manager Kevin Colbert does indeed step down when his contract expires with the completion of the 2022 draft, there hasn't been any sort of alteration in the day-to-day operation.
Colbert already has been getting the coach up to speed on draft preparation and what their plan is for the Senior Bowl in a couple weeks, no different than any other offseason for the two men with the most power in building the Steelers roster year in and year out.
"He and I have had discussions about it, but I'll leave it to Kevin to address any issues regarding him and his future," Tomlin said. "My plan and our plan is to proceed in the short term like we always do."
Their approach may indeed be status quo, but their challenge is different this year from any other they've had together. Of course, the ultimate mission is the same — to improve the Steelers — but this is the first time since 2004 the franchise has not had Roethlisberger as their quarterback.
As Tomlin put it, "all options are on the table" beyond incumbent backups Rudolph and Haskins, but he spoke much more about finding another passer in the draft or free agency than via trade. That would all but rule out big-name long shots such as Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson, and Tomlin insisted that he has not made it known privately that he would prefer a veteran to a rookie as Roethlisbeger's successor, despite a report in October from Fox Sports.
"I have not expressed that," Tomlin said. "I think it's prudent and appropriate to be open to all of the above."
Prudent and appropriate, sure, but definitely not simple.
"It's a challenge, man," Tomlin said of staring down the unknown at quarterback post-Roethlisberger, whose time here predates Tomlin. "It makes you uneasy. But I've learned to run to those challenges. I've learned to appreciate those challenges. The uncertainty surrounding them is inspiring to me."
