Steelers fire OC Matt Canada after offensive struggles

The Pittsburgh Steelers have fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada, coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday.

“Matt Canada has been relieved of his duties as offensive coordinator. I appreciate Matt’s hard work and dedication and wish him the best in his career,” Tomlin said in a statement.

Canada’s firing marks the first time the Steelers have changed head coaches or coordinators midseason since 1941, according to research from ESPN Stats & Information. That season, the Steelers had three head coaches: Bert Bell (who went 0-2 and was half-owner of the team), Aldo Donelli (who went 0-5) and Walt Kiesling (who went 1-2-1). ).

The Steelers offense has struggled. The latest example came Sunday in a 13-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns, which led to a rant from running back Najee Harris.

Pittsburgh is 6-4 but has a negative point differential (-29) and has been outscored in every game this season. The Steelers rank 28th in points per game (16.6), 28th in offensive yards per game (280.1) and 31st in passing yards per game (170) this season.

Second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett is ranked 25th in the NFL in passing yards (1,722) and 28th in QBR (35.7).

On Sunday, Harris was asked if the team’s winning record was encouraging despite the offensive struggles.

“You can do two things,” he said. “You could look at the record and say, ‘OK, we’re still good right now.’ Or we might look at the record and say, “If we keep playing this type of football, how long will it last? I look at it like, “How long will it last?” You all might consider that’s a good record, but I mean, it’s the NFL. Winning like we did, that’s not going to get us anywhere.”

Canada, 51, has been the Steelers’ offensive coordinator since 2021.