Steelers OC Matt Canada doesn't envision an offense running through Pickett
If you ask a random Pittsburgh Steelers fan what they're most excited about heading into the season, a large majority will say the development of Kenny Pickett in year two. And while that can still be your answer, as Pickett will indeed have more on his plate this fall… If you listened to Matt Canada […]
If you ask a random Pittsburgh Steelers fan what they're most excited about heading into the season, a large majority will say the development of Kenny Pickett in year two.
And while that can still be your answer, as Pickett will indeed have more on his plate this fall…
If you listened to Matt Canada at minicamp this week, the Steelers have an offensive identity but it doesn't have a lot to do with the quarterback:
As the Steelers wrapped up day two of the three-day mandatory minicamp that will close out the offseason, the media was able to speak with Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Often the topic of conversation around some of Pittsburgh's offensive struggles, the once quarterback coach turned OC has been with the team since the latter stages of Big Ben's career.
When asked about finding the Steelers' identity in 2023, Canada offered an answer that not everyone will be a fan of:
"Well, I think our identity was pretty clear the last nine games, answered Canada. "We were running the ball really well, we were physical. You saw who we drafted, who we acquired, and I don't think there's any question of what our identity is going be."
"I think we want to run the football, we want to be physical, we want to be a good team that throws the ball down the field and takes advantage of what the defense gives us. So, I think our identity is well known and we'll stay true to where we're at."
Now Canada isn't saying anything shocking if you followed the Steelers not only last season but basically through the inception of the franchise.
Despite being known for always having star wideouts, this team still believes football is played between the hashes, with downhill running and an attack predicated on vertical displacement on the ground.
"You know, there's a there's an identity that's coming from an organizational plan, right? It's not like I'm coming in here saying what it is. There's a plan from Mr. Rooney to Coach Tomlin," added Canada.
"And so, obviously, when I say we're going to run the ball, that doesn't mean we're going to run it every play, and our quarterback… if you want to win, the quarterback has to make plays. You're exactly right in this league, the quarterbacks make the plays to win the game at those key moments."
"We have great faith in Kenny, Mitch [Trubisky], and Mason [Rudolph] to do that, but the prior question as I answered it was just saying, we do have an identity. We're going to be a physical team and if you stop the run, then we obviously have to take advantage of that with play-action passes, misdirection passes, passes down the field, and that's when Kenny's got to make those throws at those times when it's called upon."
And that's the truth of the matter. Although Kenny Pickett was a first-round pick, and he will surely grow and adapt over time, the Steelers don't want him to be a Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, or Joe Burrow.
They want Pickett to answer the phone when his number is dialed, executing the plays they call. Nothing more, nothing less. I think even the staunchest of Pickett supporters can see that, with the OC's comments just cementing the organizational view of the quarterback.
Featured image via: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
