Every day, some crazy suggestions get thrown out there. On Friday, Stephen A. Smith, a noted Steelers fan, went on a tirade about the team after their Week 1 thrashing at the hands of the San Francisco 49ers. However, his suggestion to fix the team’s problems is odd. It’s to fire Matt Canada and hire Todd Haley to turn around the offense.
“Todd Haley’s on NFL radio…damn it, go back and get him before we have to deal with Matt Canada if he can’t change things around,” Smith said. “I’m a Steelers fan. I’m getting sick and tired of that damn offensive coordinator. Mike Tomlin, do something about it.”
That’s a wild idea. Haley was the team’s offensive coordinator during the Killer B’s era, and he helped take the offense to prolific heights with the stars around that offense. However, following Haley, Randy Fichtner, and Canada have sunken below expectations. Canada, now in its third season, has yet to have a game where the team put up over 400 yards in a game. Kenny Pickett has no game in his career with more than one touchdown pass.
“Mike Tomlin, y’all don’t hesitate to make changes with players when they don’t produce. But you want to hold onto offensive coordinators,” Smith said. “I’m not sold. They looked better with Todd Haley years ago.”
This is a valid point from Smith in that the Steelers sometimes resist change. Canada likely should not have been brought back following a lackluster 2022 season. If they continue on the same trajectory this year, he will not be returned in 2024. Kenny Pickett and the offense need to get back on track and do it without Diontae Johnson while at it against a great Browns defense, that will remain a massive challenge and hurdle to overcome.
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