Report: Steelers OC will directly work with QB Kenny Pickett to solve offensive woes
Even though the Pittsburgh Steelers fan base has lambasted Matt Canada, the team plans to give the offensive coordinator a more prominent role.
Jordan Schultz of the Score reported the 51-year-old OC will retain play calling duties and directly work with second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett daily.
Pickett has not looked like a franchise cornerstone through two games. He's completed 46-of-76 passes for 454 yards, two TDs, three interceptions and a below-average 19.9 QBR, 32nd in the NFL. The former first-round pick must improve, yet more work with Canada might not solve his problems.
Since Canada became OC in 2021, the Steelers have ranked near the bottom of the league in most offensive categories. This season, their offense is atrocious. It's second-to-last in the NFL in yards (494) and 28th in points scored (33).
Fans made their frustrations known during a 26-22 Week 2 victory against the Browns when they chanted "Fire Canada" after the team only finished with one offensive TD. While Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin didn't point the finger at the OC, he acknowledged the offensive struggles.
"We have to get our mojo back," Tomlin recently said of the offense, per CBS Sports. "We have to get the mojo we played with in the preseason. We've lost that, to be blunt, in the last several weeks."
Pickett indicated the struggles stem from a lack of an identity.
"We've got to find it. Clearly, we don't have one," the QB recently said, via Pro Football Talk. "From a fan-base standpoint, from a player standpoint, nobody wants the offense we're putting out there right now."
The Steelers may want to give Canada more time with Pickett to see if they can develop cohesiveness and fix the offensive woes. If it doesn't work, expect the OC to get canned.
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