The Pittsburgh Steelers have fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada after seeing their struggles with the ball continue against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
The Steelers slipped to 6-4 as their two-game winning run was halted by an AFC North rival last time out, with rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson rallying the Browns as they won 13-10 through a walk-off field goal from Dustin Hopkins.
Canada had faced scrutiny with Mike Tomlin’s team being outgained in every single game this season, ranking 28th in the league for points per game (16.6) and 31st for passing yards per contest (170).
Second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett, meanwhile, ranks 25th in the NFL for total passing yards this season (1,722), having finished Sunday’s game 15-of-28 for just 106 yards with no touchdowns.
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Running back Najee Harris went on a rant about the team’s offensive shortcomings after the defeat, saying: “Winning how we did, it’s going to get us nowhere.”
On Tuesday, head coach Tomlin confirmed Canada has left the role he had occupied since January 2021, saying in a statement: “Matt Canada has been relieved of his duties as offensive coordinator.
“I appreciate Matt’s hard work and dedication, and I wish him the best moving forward in his career.”
Statement from Coach Mike Tomlin: pic.twitter.com/kitcpLnyqF
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 21, 2023
NFL Network Insiders Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero reported that quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan and running backs coach Eddie Faulkner will share coordinator duties after Canada’s exit, with the former expected to handle play-calling while the latter becomes interim OC.
The Steelers are now third in the tightly contested AFC North and in danger of slipping out of the AFC playoff picture ahead of another crucial divisional matchup in Week 12, with a trip to Paycor Stadium to face the 5-5 Cincinnati Bengals next up on Sunday.
