Can The Steelers Escape The Liability That Is Matt Canada's Dreadful Play Calling In 2023?

The Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be making all the right moves this offseason. General manager, Omar Khan has been extremely aggressive in free agency and plugged holes all over the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Following the 2023 NFL Draft, the team's roster will bring a ton of new faces while the core players from 2022 remain on the roster, leading the way. 

One area that is still a cause for concern, however, is offensive coordinator, Matt Canada. He enters his third season as the lead play caller on offense and hasn't quite made a positive mark.

It upset black and gold nation when it was confirmed that Canada would be back as the play caller in 2023. A strong stretch to end the season may have saved his job. If it weren't for two game-winning drives by then-rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett, Canada may have not lasted into January.

If anyone is expecting some drastic change when it comes to play calling in 2023, they are likely to be disappointed. Canada has been the same for two years and it's hard to imagine he revamps the playbook completely. The main hope is that it doesn't hurt the growth of Pickett in his second season.

There are going to be ways to open up the offense and become more dangerous, but it needs to start with head coach, Mike Tomlin realizing that Canada's offensive approach isn't going to work in today's NFL. Bringing him back for one final chance is one thing, but doing the same thing over and over and expecting different is the definition of insanity.

One way the Steelers can mix up the way things work on offense would be Canada and Tomlin taking into consideration what new offensive assistant, Glenn Thomas has to offer. If the two are stuck in their stubborn ways, then there's not much reason to believe the offense will change course in 2023.

Secondly, Canada's leash has to be a short one. If the season starts out and the offense is once again at the bottom of the league in several statistical categories, he can't be held onto like he was early in 2022. Thomas or quarterbacks coach, Mike Sullivan could absolutely wear the interim tag.

Tomlin also needs to take into account what Pickett has to say. He needs to have input on what the offensive game plan is week in and week out. If he is going to be the franchise quarterback of the future and he was drafted in 2022 because of his maturity and NFL-readiness, there's no reason to put something together without his ideas on the table as well.

Steelers Can't Be Stubborn About Offensive Situation

After a strong ending to 2022, Pittsburgh has a legitimate shot to contend for a division title in 2023 no matter what the betting odds say. Using resources around him and taking into account what Pickett has to say is what can save Canada from himself. 

This is not a college offense and in order to be more competitive, the unit doesn't need to put up 30 points per game, but the 18 from a season ago isn't going to get the job done. It's crucial that Canada and Tomlin evolve in their offensive beliefs if the organization wants any hope of competing at highest of levels going forward.