Matt Canada’s firing marked Pittsburgh Steelers’ first in-season coaching change since 1941

We’re going to add some context to Tuesday’s Matt Canada termination to show how significant such a firing is in Steelers team history.

The Steelers may reassign coaches, but they don’t fire them, especially coordinators and/or head coaches, during the season. According to ESPN, the last time Pittsburgh made such a move was in 1941. That’s when Steelers owner Bert Bell fired himself.

History today in Pittsburgh: When the Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada today, it marked the first time they have made an in-season coaching change since 1941, per @PaulHembo.

The last time the Steelers fired a head coach/coordinator midseason was 1941, when the… pic.twitter.com/hsi1T1AvdS

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 21, 2023

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin announced Canada’s termination in a short statement to the media early Tuesday. He said, “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.”

The Steelers’ offensive woes have been documented. The team, which has a 6-4 record, has been outgained by each opponent on the schedule this season. That’s happened to 33 other teams. But this year’s team is the only one who has flailed so poorly on offense and still maintained a winning record.

Steelers loss to Browns made it clear offense needed changes

But this past Sunday, the Steelers lost to the Browns, 13-10. Rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson quarterbacked Cleveland, but scoring 10 points on offense isn’t winning football. The Steelers and Browns split the two division games this season. Pittsburgh won the first, 26-22, but the defense scored two touchdowns in that game.

Reports out of Pittsburgh suggest that Tomlin wasn’t pleased with the development of second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett. That’s because Pickett seems to be regressing. He threw for only 106 yards against Cleveland. and he’s thrown for one touchdown in his five games, combined.

NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero said the Steelers likely will promote running backs coach Eddie Faulkner and Mike Sullivan, who is in charge of quarterbacks, to co-offensive coordinators. Sullivan will call plays, while Faulkner will be the main coordinator.

Tomlin hired Canada in 2020 to coach quarterbacks. He promoted him to offensive coordinator with the hopes he could modernize the Steelers offense. Instead, the scheme never worked. NFL.com noted that In Canada’s 44 games as the OC, Pittsburgh never ranked higher than 23rd in the league in yards and 21st in points.

Currently, the Steelers rank 28th in yards and points. The passing game is the weakest link. It ranks 31st in yards.

The Steelers next play the Bengals. Cincinnati, like Cleveland, lost its starting quarterback. The Bengals probably will start Jake Browning after Joe Burrow tore a ligament in his right wrist last Thursday. The Steelers have an advantage in the up coming schedule, so leaving the offense as is was a definite gamble.