The Pittsburgh Steelers offense in 2023 is responsible for averaging just 12.6 points per game. Many believed that Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada would be fired immediately after the game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5 if the unit sputtered. There have been no reports of that happening as the team enters the bye week, but a shocking report came to light on Monday morning. Pittsburgh might just be all in on Canada after all.
According to Adam Crowley of The Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan, Pittsburgh has deliberately been ignoring a former player who has expressed a desire to come on the staff as an offensive consultant. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic told Crowley and his co-host , Dorin Dickerson that Byron Leftwich is trying to get his foot back in the door.
The Steelers have one of the worst offenses in the league and the incredibly disappointing stat of zero games with over 400 total yards of offense during Canada's tenure is not something to be proud of. Many have questioned why Mike Tomlin has decided to keep him around and a lot of it is pointed at the loyalty the head coach has for his play-caller. Kaboly said that his sources are telling him Pittsburgh is giving Leftwich the cold shoulder.
"I've heard that Byron's made some inquiries and the Steelers have ignored it."
Pittsburgh only has two red zone trips through the first five weeks of the season and sit dead last in the NFL with only two red zone scores. The argument could easily be made that they should be 1-4 if not for two defensive touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns and a blocked punt on Sunday versus the Ravens.
Leftwich is a Super Bowl-winning play-caller, who most recently helped lead an offense for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was fired in early 2023 after a disappointing 2022 season. Steelers fans were immediately calling for Canada to be fired so Leftwich could come in and take the reins. Instead, no one reached out to the former quarterback and he is unemployed.
Steelers Need To Answer Leftwich's Calls
It wouldn't be surprising if Leftwich reached out to the Steelers. Anyone watching probably could see an easy route to being promoted, especially if Canada struggled early in 2023, which he has. Pittsburgh currently has Glenn Thomas on the staff as an offensive assistant, but it is widely believed that quarterbacks coach, Mike Sullivan would be the interim coordinator if Canada was let go at any point during the season.
At this point, anyone coming in and helping the offense would be approved by Steelers fans. If Leftwich did truly reach out and the front office along with Tomlin aren't giving him the time of day, it proves the theory that everyone in the building knows something the rest of us don't. Regardless, having Leftwich on the staff would only help the offense and a young quarterback in Kenny Pickett.
No one from the organization has confirmed nor denied this report, and we shouldn't expect them to do so. Overall, it's extremely disappointing if the Steelers are blind to the fact that Canada is not the offensive play-caller of the future. His college schemes and predictable calls have made the offense regress significantly since 2021. Don't be surprised if Leftwich's current employment status is hinting at him taking over in 2024, even if Pittsburgh is ignoring him now.
Would you want to see Leftwich back in Pittsburgh on the coaching staff?
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