Pittsburgh Steelers Witness Offensive Growth Post-Canada Era

One year ago today, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a pivotal decision by parting ways with their then-offensive coordinator Matt Canada. This move has since led to noticeable changes in the team’s offensive performance. During Canada’s 44-game tenure, the Steelers managed to score more than 30 points in only two games, neither of which resulted in a victory. Furthermore, the team failed to produce over 400 yards in any of those games.

Since Canada’s departure, the Steelers have surpassed 400 yards of offense in five out of their last 17 games. The team now averages 330.1 yards per game, marking an increase from the 310.1 yards under Canada. Although not drastic, these changes indicate progression in the team’s offensive capabilities.

Canada’s tenure saw the Steelers scoring an average of 18.57 points per game, amassing 817 points in total over 44 games. In contrast, since his departure, the Steelers have scored 371 points in 17 games, averaging 21.82 points per game. Under the guidance of current offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the team boasts an average of 23.3 points per game this season, showcasing an improvement of nearly five points per game.

Matt Canada’s journey with the Steelers began in 2020 as a quarterbacks coach, later succeeding Randy Fichtner as the offensive coordinator in 2021, coinciding with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s final season. Despite facing widespread criticism, head coach Mike Tomlin initially kept Canada in his position through the start of the 2023 season, only to release him after 10 games.

The Steelers have not yet achieved a dramatic transformation into an offensive powerhouse. Challenges, particularly in red-zone efficiency, remain a concern. The previous sub-par performance of the offensive line and quarterback play during Canada’s tenure are also notable factors in their past struggles.

A notable statistic from Canada’s time highlights that the Steelers averaged only 11.7 points per game through three quarters, leading them to trail entering the fourth quarter in 34 instances, a league high. Despite this, they managed to win 12 of those games, thanks largely to defensive takeaways and a shift to no-huddle offense.

The impact of Matt Canada’s departure has become a point of focus in Pittsburgh sports circles. The question now remains whether Arthur Smith’s strategic direction and the team’s off-season quarterback decisions will propel the Steelers to meet their ultimate goal of playoff success, which they traditionally use as a benchmark for progress.