Steelers HC Mike Tomlin 'optimistic' about OC Matt Canada after lackluster season

There were rumblings last February that then new Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada may wish to work with a quarterback other than veteran Ben Roethlisberger because of Roethlisberger's physical limitations, among other supposed issues. Big Ben ultimately remained atop the Pittsburgh depth chart, and the Steelers finished the 2021 regular season 21st in scoring with 20.2 points per game, per ESPN stats. 

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed expected news on Tuesday when he said the franchise is "proceeding" as if Roethlisberger will retire following this past Sunday's 42-21 playoff loss at the Kansas City Chiefs, but the coach also seemed to go to bat for his assistant during the press conference. 

"I’m optimistic about Matt and what he’s capable of doing," Tomlin said of Canada, via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "I acknowledge that we took a step back. There are some obvious, tangible reasons why that occurred. I’m not going to get into all of that. I’m not going to seek comfort in that. We’ve got to be better. We intend to be. And that’s going to require a lot of planning and work, players and coaches." 

As noted by ESPN stats, Roethlisberger ended the regular season 24th among eligible quarterbacks with an 86.8 passer rating and 25th with a 35.7 total QBR. Backup Mason Rudolph would theoretically become Pittsburgh's QB1 if the future Hall of Famer retired tomorrow, but the Steelers have previously been linked with Green Bay Packers starter Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks in trade rumors.