Steelers WR Diontae Johnson defends Matt Canada amid chants for his firing

Life as an offensive coordinator in the NFL can be a tough job, especially when you’re Matt Canada. Even as the Pittsburgh Steelers sit 4-2 and in the thick of things in the AFC, the 51-year-old continues to get serenaded with chants for him to be fired on a weekly basis.

Making an appearance on “The Arthur Moats Experience” Thursday, Steelers wideout Diontae Johnson came to the defense of his offensive coordinator. While you may not like the calls Canada is making, you have to respect them, Johnson said.

“People might not agree with his play-calling, but you ain’t got no choice. He’s calling plays,” Johnson said, via Steeler Nation. “He’s the boss on offense. We’ve got to do what he says and we ain’t got no choice. You don’t got to like them, but you got to respect them. That’s how I go. I respect them, not like them, too.”

The much-maligned Steelers’ offense ranks as the second-worst unit in the league, and is averaging just 17.2 points per game through six games. To be fair to Canada, Johnson, Pittsburgh’s leading receiver each of the last three seasons, has only been active for two games. The 27-year-old missed four games with a hamstring injury, before returning for the 24-17 Week 7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Diontae Johnson encouraging Matt Canada through Steelers’ struggles

Johnson said he reminds Canada that he hasn’t had the Steelers’ best weapons at his disposal for majority of the season.

“I’m just saying little stuff like that to him to just keep his spirits up so he don’t just be down,” Johnson said. “It sucks to hear [the chants] because it’s not like he’s intentionally trying to f*** up.”

He added: “I try to take his mind off like that. ‘Bro, I’m on your side at the end of the day. Don’t listen to whatever they’re saying out there. They’re gonna say what they’re gonna say, but we’re gonna make you look good.'”

Make Canada look good they did against Los Angeles, as Johnson hauled in five receptions for 79 yards. For just the second time this season, Pittsburgh had both Johnson and George Pickens on the field together. Pickens led the team with 107 yards on five catches, his third 100-yard game of the season.

“It was great to have him back,” quarterback Kenny Pickett said of Johnson’s return. “I think you saw the effect he can have with both George and him out the outside. They’re two tough guys to cover.”