PITTSBURGH — The Steelers have no plans to replace offensive coordinator Matt Canada and he will return to Mike Tomlin’s coaching staff in 2023.
Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten confirmed an earlier report in the Post-Gazette that Canada will return for a third season.
Despite a public outcry to fire him and numerous rumors about his coaching status, Canada’s future, apparently, was never really in doubt after the offense continued to show signs of improvement late in the season.
The Steelers’ strong finish to the regular season — they won their last four games and six of their final seven — and the development of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett were a large factor in Canada returning next season.
Despite that, the Steelers offense was one of the most anemic in the league and has lagged appreciably in the two years since Canada replaced Randy Fichtner.
They had 28 offensive touchdowns, third-fewest in the league, and ranked 26th in scoring average (18.1 points) in 2022. In two seasons with Canada as offensive coordinator, the Steelers have averaged 19.1 points per game, which is 7.5 points fewer than they did in 2020, when Fichtner’s contract was not renewed.
What’s more, the offense lacked explosive plays. The Steelers were the only team in the league to have only three plays longer than 40 yards and their longest touchdown was 31 yards. Of their 28 total touchdowns, 21 were less than 10 yards.
But, the offense showed small signs of improvement since the bye week. They had two of their three highest point totals and their running game averaged 151.8 yards in the final four games.
It is not known if Canada, who has a year remaining on his contract, will have to adjust his approach and have his offensive assistants be more involved in the game plan.
Meanwhile, one member of Tomlin’s staff who is departing is assistant receivers coach Blaine Stewart, who is joining the staff at West Virginia University. Stewart is a native of Morgantown, W.Va., and the son of former Mountaineers coach Bill Stewart.
