Many believe the Pittsburgh Steelers will move on from Offensive Coordinator, MattCanada following the 2022 season. During his tenure, the offense has been statistically at the bottom of the league and with inconsistent play calling tied in with a college-based offense, there have been doubts surrounding his approach.
With a rookie quarterback in Kenny Pickett and a young group altogether, Canada has been tasked with convincing the organization that he is the right coach going forward, but that comes with the job and there are no excuses for poor performances. If Head Coach Mike Tomlin goes in a different direction at the end of the season, there are plenty of options to fulfill the role.
Steelers offensive coordinator, Matt Canada, and head coach, Mike Tomlin on the field at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA | Photo Credit: Matt Freed/Post Gazette
The Steelers Should Now Have Their #1 Option To Replace Matt Canada At Season’s End
Tomlin has consistently promoted coaches from within since being hired in 2007 and while that is absolutely a possibility heading into the off-season, there are other potential play callers he should look at as well, beginning with two bright-minded individuals who have led teams recently.
1.) Frank Reich
Reich has an incredible resume. He worked under former Steelers’ offense coordinator, Ken Whisenhunt with the Arizona Cardinals in 2012 and also has been on staff with Jim Caldwell, Tony Dungy, Doug Pederson other Mike McCoy. Not to mention, he mentored Philly Eagles‘ leader, Nick Sirianni who now is the mastermind behind a dominant offense. Reich was dealt a tough hand with the quarterback situation during his time with the Indianapolis Colts and is going to have offers to call plays somewhere in 2023.
Tomlin needs to bring someone in who can continue to mold Pickett if he parts ways with Canada. The former Colts’ head coach could absolutely be someone who deserves an opportunity to work with the young group in Pittsburgh.
2.) Nathaniel Hackett
Hackett was recently fired after less than a season with the Denver Broncos. His inability to run a successful offense after Denver invested in Russell Wilson is concerning, but future Hall of Famer quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been a consistent advocate for his former coach and Hackett was even in charge of the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ Offense when they beat the Steelers in the 2017 playoffs while putting up 45 points. He is still a creative play caller who could bring a different dynamic to Pittsburgh’s offense.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Kenny Pickett (#8) and quarterbacks coach, Mike Sullivan (right) on the field during a practice at the 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
3.) Mike Sullivan
Fans don’t want to hear about Tomlin hiring someone from within the organization again. Unfortunately, it’s certainly possible given his track record and Sullivan’s resume. He is currently the quarterbacks’ coach for the Steelers and won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants in the 2011 season holding the same position. Canada sits in the booth during games while Sullivan remains on the field and in the trenches with Pickett.
It’s possible that they have built up a rapport that ends up with Tomlin promoting him in the new year. Pickett’s growth since the bye week is more of a testament to his work with Sullivan rather than Canada. It’s a promotion Steelers fans don’t want to see, but can’t be ruled out given how these hires have gone over the last 15 years.
4.) Joe Brady
It’s impossible to ignore someone who is the quarterbacks’ coach for one of the most dynamic signal-callers in all of football. Brady is only 33 years old and after a rough tenure as the Carolina Panthers‘ offensive coordinator from 2020-2021, he deserves another chance after helping the Buffalo Bills other Josh Allen display a dominant offense in 2022. Brady also coached under offensive guru, sean Payton with the New Orleans Saints for two years beginning in 2017.
In this file photo, Carolina Panthers’ new offensive coordinator Joe Brady listens to a question from the media during his introductory press conference at Bank of America Stadium on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020, in Charlotte, NC (Photo Credit: David T. Foster III/Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
5.) Drew Petzing
It’s never a bad idea to do your due diligence within the division. Petzing is currently the quarterbacks’ coach for the Cleveland Browns and is only 35 years old. He showed incredible potential this year as Cleveland’s offense almost looked better with Jacoby Brissett leading the way, unlike Deshaun Watson, who recently came back after his suspension. Despite his youth, he has been on an NFL staff for almost 10 years and could be the exact kind of innovative mind that the Steelers need with a young core on offense.
The new wave of the NFL seems to be hiring young, intelligent and creative brains to develop lethal offensive units. Brady and Petzing fit that description while the other three have proven to be influential in several different positions throughout their coaching careers.
Who would you want to see the Steelers hire to be the offensive coordinator if Canada is fired in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
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