After Matt Canada spent Monday getting ready for the Steelers’ Week 12 sport towards the Bengals, Mike Tomlin knowledgeable him Tuesday morning he wouldn’t end out his third season as offensive coordinator. This marked traditionally uncommon territory for the Steelers, who had not fired a head coach or coordinator in-season in 82 years.
Steelers gamers had voiced frustrations in regards to the offense for weeks behind the scenes, in keeping with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, and Najee Harris’ public feedback got here days earlier than Canada’s ouster (subscription required). While the workforce was united on retaining Canada throughout September and October, the run of poor performances on offense ultimately led to the course change.
Regarding whose name this actually was, conflicting stories have come out. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac indicated Art Rooney II made this choice, whereas Mike Tomlin stated Tuesday he was behind the decision. The Seventeenth-year coach taking duty is definitely on-brand, although The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly expresses doubt Tomlin actually determined to interrupt with custom and hearth Canada. That stated, Russini affords that it was certainly the veteran HC’s choice — after a number of discussions with Rooney — that produced the shakeup.
Calls for Canada’s firing got here down final 12 months and intensified this season. Tomlin gave Canada a 3rd 12 months, doing so after Kenny Pickett confirmed some promise late final season. The 2022 first-round decide has struggled this 12 months and can enter Week 12 with simply seven landing passes. The Steelers have been outgained in all 10 of their video games, they usually haven’t produced a 400-yard offensive sport since Week 2 of the 2020 season.
Pickett’s shut relationship with QBs coach and new play-caller Mike Sullivan didn’t have an effect on this choice, Tomlin stated. Sullivan labored as largely a non-play-calling OC throughout his two-season Giants tenure. Though, he completed the 2017 marketing campaign calling the pictures for the Eli Manning-piloted offense, with Ben McAdoo being fired late in that season. Sullivan referred to as performs for the Buccaneers from 2012-13. As the wheels started to return off for Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay ranked thirteenth and thirtieth offensively throughout Sullivan’s two seasons; the second got here because the workforce transitioned to rookie Mike Glennon at QB.
The Steelers promoted their QBs coach to OC in 2021 (Canada) and 2018 (Randy Fichtner). Todd Haley was the workforce’s final outdoors rent for the place. Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner is the interim OC, although his lack of play-calling duties don’t level to long-term consideration right here. Sullivan would appear the likelier candidate for the gig, primarily based on his position and the workforce’s historical past. If the Steelers choose to go outdoors the group, Kaboly provides Byron Leftwich has expressed curiosity within the job. The former Bucs OC made his curiosity recognized earlier than Canada’s firing.
Leftwich would technically be an outdoor rent, however he has a previous with the Steelers. He served as a Ben Roethlisberger reserve in 2008 and from 2010-12, becoming a member of longtime backup Charlie Batch in a deep QB room. Leftwich made one begin for the Steelers, in 2012. The former QB spent 4 seasons as Tampa Bay’s OC. Despite Bruce Arians being an offense-oriented HC, he gave Leftwich the play-calling reins. This setup helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl in Tom Brady‘s first season and the ageless legend led the NFL in TD passes (43) and yards (5,316) in 2021. Brady and Todd Bowles expressed dissatisfaction with Leftwich last season, however, and the Bucs canned him in January.
Leftwich, 43, interviewed for the Ravens’ OC job this offseason however just isn’t at present teaching. Although Rooney could or could not have insisted Tomlin hearth Canada, Dulac provides the longtime HC would be the one who selects the following OC. Though, possession will clearly have to approve Tomlin’s decide.
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