Steelers' Legendary QB1 Ben Roethlisberger Doubles Down On Defense Of Maligned OC Matt Canada

Former renowned Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger still thinks his former offensive coordinator, Matt Canada deserves another shot to prove himself at the NFL level. The two-time Super Bowl winner hasn't been afraid to take shots at Canada in the past, but he absolutely still thinks that he should get another chance to truly show how smart he is. 

"There's been a lot said about our relationship and I like Matt (Canada)," Roethlisberger said. "I would consider him a friend and I enjoyed the couple of seasons that we worked together. Did we have our differences in play calling or scheme things at times? Absolutely. But, give me one player on any team and it doesn't matter what position they play. There's going to be something that they don't agree with their coach on." 

Roethlisberger expanded on his disagreements with Canada and stated that there were probably things he did that Canada didn't like, too, but that's part of the relationship between the play caller and quarterback. 

"I'm sure there are plays that I called in the no-huddle that Matt was like 'nah I wish you hadn't done that,'" he said. "It wasn't like I hated everything Matt Canada did. That's not true."

Steelers' Great Sees Canada's 'Great Mind For Game' And Thinks Second Half Of 2022 Give Him Room To Grow

Even though he, and maybe Steeler Nation, disagree with some of the concepts, Roethlisberger still appreciates Canada's process and approach to the game. 

"I think Matt has a great mind for the game and I know he likes some things that maybe I don't and Steeler fans don't necessarily like in some of the jet sweeps," he said about his former play-caller. "If you look at what he did with the new players and the new quarterback and new line and the way that they struggled early and bounced back strong in the season, and I told him that at the end of the season." 

The organization has also defended an intention of giving Canada a third season, and a second with Kenny Pickett due to the familiarity developed in the first season. Pair in the fact that in his three seasons, Canada has had to deal with an aging quarterback who couldn't move very well (which is not ideal for his philosophies), a fully rebuilt offensive line and a flip-flop between Pickett and Trubisky this past season... it's easier to understand giving him another shot despite the downfalls during the 2022 season.