Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II defends decision to retain OC Matt Canada

One of the highest-profile decisions Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had to make this season was the future of offensive coordinator Matt Canada. The fan base grew frustrated with the offense’s performance this past season, but Canada ultimately kept his job.

Steelers owner Art Rooney II defended that decision, citing Canada’s relationship with quarterback Kenny Pickett, who made good progress as a rookie.

“They seemed to work well together,” Rooney said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac. “With a new offensive coordinator, you’d start all over again. We felt there was enough there to build on.”

Pittsburgh initially started Mitch Trubisky at quarterback, but Pickett won the starting job during the season. The former Pitt star finished the year with 2,404 passing yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions in 13 games in 2022. Pickett was the first quarterback off the board in the 2022 NFL Draft when the Steelers drafted him with the No. 20 overall pick.

The Pittsburgh offense had an up-and-down year in 2022, finishing 23rd in the league in total offense and 26th in scoring offense. Still, Canada will get another year to work with Pickett as the team works to further his development.

Pittsburgh finished the 2022 season 9-8 to finish third in the AFC South and just missed out on the playoffs.

Kenny Pickett discusses his relationship with other Steelers quarterbacks

While rookie quarterbacks aren’t always welcomed in the NFL by veteran signal callers — they are taking jobs away, after all — Pickett had a great relationship with the other throwers on the Steelers. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, last year’s first round selection explained how he got along with fellow Pittsburgh quarterbacks Mitchell Trubisky and Mason Rudolph.

“We got along really well,” Pickett said. “Our bond just got stronger as the year went. I couldn’t ask — two guys that really just, week-in and week-out — every time I came off the field, Mitch would have something. Mason would have something. We’d communicate on how we should attack the next series.

“So those two guys, I’m really grateful for how they treated me and brought me into this team.”