Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports

HC Mike Tomlin reveals 'changes' coming for Steelers

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 10/4/23

Following the Steelers' 30-6 loss to the Texans in Week 4, head coach Mike Tomlin said the team has "got to make some changes." He revealed what those will be on Tuesday.

Tomlin told reporters that the changes he was talking about were "physicality and padded practices." It's certainly not what fans were hoping to hear following another terrible showing by the offense.

Those in Pittsburgh were surely hoping for Tomlin to say the team is parting ways with offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who has been highly criticized for his predictable play-calling.

However, that is not the case as Tomlin added that there would be no change to the division of labor among coaching responsibilities "at this juncture."

The Steelers offense has shown zero signs of growth under Canada. In fact, it is actually going backwards as Pittsburgh's average points per game has decreased every year for the past three seasons.

Steelers’ points per game under Matt Canada:

2021: 20.2 PPG
2022: 18.1 PPG
2023: 15.5 PPG

There has been zero signs or evidence of growth. Instead they’re going in the opposite direction.
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) October 2, 2023

One month into the season, the Steelers offense ranks the fourth-worst team in total yards per game (263) and fourth-worst team in points per game (15.5).

There is still some hope, however, as Tomlin did acknowledge that the coaching has not been good and that he'll continue looking at it week to week.

"Not good enough," Tomlin said. "All of that is coaching and elements of decision-making. I'm always looking at that, obviously looking at that, certainly [not good enough]."

But for now, Pittsburgh seems to be sticking with Canada. The Steelers have been painfully loyal to their coaches for years and it seems like that will stay true at least for a little while longer.

Pittsburgh hosts the Ravens (3-1) in Week 5 where fans will not hold back their "Fire Canada" chants if the offense continues to struggle.

More must-reads: