Steelers: Matt Canada's firing puts the ball in Kenny Pickett's court
The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to throw tradition out of the window and wake the world up with shocking news on Tuesday. Firing an offensive coordinator for the first time since before WW2, there will be a new sheriff in town at the play-calling position. But what this move really does, is place a mountain of […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers decided to throw tradition out of the window and wake the world up with shocking news on Tuesday.
Firing an offensive coordinator for the first time since before WW2, there will be a new sheriff in town at the play-calling position.
But what this move really does, is place a mountain of pressure squarely on Kenny Pickett's shoulders. Here's why:
It's Been a Long Time
To be clear, this move needed to happen. The Steelers offense has been putrid over the last three seasons and it finally came to head in 2023.
Since 2021, the offense has ranked 28th in points and yards, failing to allocate a 400-yard output over the last 58 games, meaning Big Ben was still the quarterback when the team resembled any sort of functionality.
But no season was as bad as the current one, with Pittsburgh somehow sitting at 6-4 and in a playoff spot despite having a -29 point differential, being outgained in every game, ranking 28th in points per game and offensive yards per game, and being 31st in passing yards per game.
The last stat is perhaps the most egregious, but it points to a larger overall problem for Pittsburgh.
After three straight games of over 160 rushing yards, with the team finding an identity via the ground and actually showing some semblance of progress, the team still decided to buck all trends and fire Canada.
Why? Because of Kenny Pickett.
Over his last four games, Pickett hasn't broken the 200-yard passing mark, has only one passing TD, and has an average quarterback rating of just 33.95 out of 100.
And Canada played a huge role in that, but it wasn't all him:
Now, Pickett hasn't benefited from Canada's play calling and or scheme. In fact, after what was a strong finish to his rookie year, Pickett has regressed in every way this season.
That has happened with continuity on the offensive line, a duo of thunder and lightning in the backfield, and two Ferraris on the perimeter.
But Matt Canada isn't the one not pulling the trigger in the above clip, evading the pocket too soon, or failing to get through his progressions. That's on Kenny Pickett, and to be honest, is independent of who's calling the plays. So what Pittsburgh just told you, is that they're all in on Pickett in the present, but the next seven games serve as a determinant to his future.
Steelers fire offensive coordinator Matt Canada
Here is the latest move out of Pittsburgh.
