The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost two straight, their offense is ranked 31st in the NFL in total yards, and players are not happy.
That may not be good news for offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
Pittsburgh radio station 93.7 The Fan reported Monday that “the majority of Steelers offensive players want Matt Canada fired.”
Award winning reporter @JRown32 on @937theFan says the majority of Steelers offensive players want Matt Canada fired.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) September 26, 2022
Josh Rowntree of 93.7 The Fan told fellow reporter Andrew Fillipponi on a radio show that Steelers offensive players are not happy, and he believes they want a change.
“To clarify this just a bit,” Rowntree later noted on Twitter, “No one has publicly come out and said that Canada should be fired. But there’s a strong sense that the players are unhappy with the direction of offense, and, if polled, I believe would favor a change.”
To clarify this just a bit. No one has publicly come out and said that Canada should be fired. But there's a strong sense that the players are unhappy with the direction of offense, and, if polled, I believe would favor a change. #Steelers @937theFan https://t.co/l5CV0anQuJ
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) September 26, 2022
Players have been voicing their concern after the last two games.
“We can only do what they tell us to do and execute it,” wide receiver Diontae Johnson said after the team’s Week 2 loss (via Audacy.com). “It could be anything when it comes to them. When I say ‘them,’ I mean the coaches. I’m not throwing them under the bus, but we can only do what they tell us to do and make plays. That’s about it.”
The 50-year-old Canada, a longtime offensive coordinator at the college level, is in his second season as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator. The team’s offensive woes aren’t new. The offense hasn’t scored a TD in the first quarter since Nov. 11.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said after last Thursday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns that he would not consider firing Canada, and he isn’t considering benching quarterback Mitch Trubisky. But he said the offense must play better.
“There are a lot of things that we need to do better, there are a lot of things we’d like to do better,” Tomlin said (via 93.7 The Fan). “I think the best way to sum up my evaluation … is that we’ve been better with every outing. It’s reasonable to expect those improvements to continue.
“We haven’t done enough to win the last two football games, so there’s reason for alarm as it pertains to that, but largely I’m seeing improvements in all areas. … So it’s our job to tune out the noise and to remain committed to the path that we’re on.”
[Andrew Fillipponi, 93.7 The Fan]
