We’re going to add some context to the Matt Canada termination, Tuesday, to show how significant such a firing is in Steelers team history.
The Steelers don’t fire coaches, especially coordinators and/or head coaches, during the season. According to ESPN, the last time Pittsburgh made such a move was in 1941. That’s when Steelers owner Bert Bell fired himself.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin announced Canada’s termination in a short statement to the media early Tuesday. He said said “Matt Canada has been relieved on his duties as offensive coordinator. I appreciate Matt’s hard work and dedication and I wish him the best moving forward in his career.”
The Steelers offensive woes have been documented. The team, which has a 6-4 record, has been outgained by each opponents on the schedule this season. That’s happened to 33 other teams. But this year’s team is the only one who has flailed so poorly on offense and still maintained a winning record.
But this past Sunday, the Steelers lost to the Browns, 13-10. Rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson quarterbacked Cleveland, but the scoring 10 points on offense isn’t winning football. The Steelers and Browns split the two division games this season. Pittsburgh won the first, 26-22, but the defense scored two touchdowns in that game.
Reports out of Pittsburgh suggest that Tomlin wasn’t pleased with the development of second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett. He seems to be regressing. He threw for only 106 yards against Cleveland. and he’s thrown for one touchdown in his five games, combined.
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