Steelers fire offensive coordinator Canada amid ineffective play

PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers fired embattled offensive coordinator Matt Canada on Tuesday, two-plus years into a tenure in which the team struggled to generate points and yards with regularity.

Head coach Mike Tomlin announced the move two days after the Steelers managed just 10 points in a dismal loss to Cleveland, saying in a statement that he appreciated Canada’s “hard work and dedication.”

That dedication, however, wasn’t enough to help Pittsburgh’s offense break out of a familiar pattern that has dogged the franchise in recent years. The Steelers (6-4) have remained in playoff contention in spite of an offense that ranks 28th in yards and points.

Frustration outside the organization has been mounting for months. Fans chanted “Fire Canada” during a win over Cleveland on Sept. 18, a refrain that became ubiquitous throughout the region and meme-worthy on social media.

While Tomlin defended Canada for weeks, frustration inside the locker may have reached a breaking point after the Steelers were held to 249 yards – including just 106 passing – against the Browns. Running back Najee Harris said in the aftermath that he was getting “tired of this (stuff)” with wide receiver Diontae Johnson saying simply “you saw the game” when asked what might be wrong.

Perhaps most damning for Canada is the way quarterback Kenny Pickett’s growth has stagnated. Drafted in the first round in 2022, Pickett put together a promising rookie season a year ago and showed flashes of being a difference-maker during the preseason this summer.