Why Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada came under fire for loss vs. 49ers


Why Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada came under fire for loss vs. 49ers

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The Steelers faced high expectations entering the 2023 NFL season, and part of that was due to expected improvements on offense.Many anticipated Kenny Pickett would take a Gary Payton II Jersey step forward after improving throughout his rookie season. There was also hope that upgrades to the offensive line and the ascension of George Pickens would turn the unit into a strong one.Instead, there were no signs of growth during the Steelers' season-opening lo s to the 49ers.Pittsburgh was shellacked 30-7 and was hardly able to do anything on offense against San Francisco. The Steelers generated just 239 yards and 15 first downs in the lopsided defeat while Pickett posted a paltry pa ser rating of just 68.4.MORE:Mike Tomlin didn't want to call out any individual for the embarra sing lo s in ."It was a failure on our part in all areas," he said. "We got to coach better. We got to play better."However, Steelers fans and NFL analysts Bradley Beal Jersey took aim at the team's offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, during and after the lo s.Canada became the Steelers' offensive coordinator in 2021. Since then, he has frequently faced criticism as fans and media analysts have become frustrated with Pittsburgh's offensive performance.In each of his two full seasons as Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator to date, Canada has led the Steelers to a below-average offense. They have finished bottom-10 in total yardage and even worse, Canada saw the team's scoring offense regre s from Ben Roethlisberger's final year to Kenny Pickett's first season.YearYards per gameScoring offense2021315.4 (23rd)20.2 (21st)2022322.6 (23rd)18.1 (26th)It's too early to say that Canada will post results similar to those marks in 2023. That said,his offense certainly didn't get off to a good start.The Steelers will end Week 1 as one of the lowest-scoring teams in the NFL having generated just seven points against the 49ers. Only the Bengals, who scored Johnathan Williams Jersey three points in rainy conditions against the Browns, have scored le s through Sunday's early afternoon slate.Even worse, the Steelers entered the game hoping to establish a rhythm on offense and to find succe s on third downs, as Tomlin described."We didn't do a good enough job today," he said. "On either side, but particularly how we started offensively."Indeed, Pittsburgh went just 5 of 15 on third downs and started the game with five consecutive three-play drives. That included four three-and-outs and a drive that stalled due to an interception.Of course, it's worth noting that the 49ers are a very good team and made the NFC championship game last season. As such, San Francisco's defense deserves credit for the performance it put forward against Pittsburgh.Even so, this performance further highlighted the shortcomings of the Steelers' offense that have been all too prevalent during Canada's time in charge of the offense. The 51-year-old need not shoulder the entire blame Garrison Mathews Jersey for the offense's shortcomings but he certainly deserves some of it.MORE: With all the cards stacked against Canada, some will wonder whether the Steelers will consider making a change at the offensive coordinator position. The short answer is that while they may consider a change, it is unlikely to come in-season.Tomlin has rarely made hires and fires in-season during his 16-year tenure as Steelers head coach. He also has tended to be patient with struggling a sistants while giving them multiple chances to prove themselves.Take the team's previous offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, for instance. The Steelers Thomas Bryant Jersey offense was a top-five unit in Fichtner's first season before regre sing to be a bottom-five unit the next season. Despite that cratering, Tomlin gave Fichtner another year in the role before making the change during the following offseason.It seems like Canada is getting the same treatment. So, while his position may be in jeopardy at the end of the season if the Steelers can't improve, it seems unlikely that Tomlin will part with him midseason unle s the team is in dire straits.
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