Matt Canada is going to be the new Steelers offense coordinator, and here are three players who will be ecstatic about the change in 2021.
It is pretty easy to imagine that a lot of players are excited about the new offense that they will be running in 2021. I for one am thrilled to add this boost of creativity on that side of the ball. At times in 2020, it seemed as though the offensive woes were carrying over from 2019, particularly in the second half of the season.
I am by no means trying to dump on Randy Fichtner at this point. I still think he is a quality quarterback coach, even if play design is very clearly not his forte. With that being said, it is Canada’s forte. I firmly believe the reason he was brought to Pittsburgh was to reinvigorate the offense with a fresh design. I know there are some players under question, considering their performances in 2020 as a whole, and certain cap issues that may be presented. However, here are three players who will be ecstatic that Matt Canada is the new offensive coordinator:
Eric Ebron
I must say I had hopes that Ebron would cement himself as a top tier tight end in the NFL in 2020. I did, however, expect his stats and presence in some games this season to be minimal at best. I knew coming into this season that Randy Fichtner has no idea how to utilize tight ends in an offense and that there were too many weapons on the outside for anyone to really shine. I mean looking back on the season, the majority of Ebron’s production came from him lining up wide as if he is a receiver.
— Ebron85.eth (@Ebron85) January 17, 2021
Something that both he and I know, you may even know this, is that Matt Canada loves using tight ends in his offense. It is by no means an exaggeration to say that running backs and tight ends were staples to Canada’s offenses in Pitt, LSU, NC State, and of course Maryland. All of the motion that Canada does is well documented, and the constant shifting of linebackers and safeties opposing defenses are forced to do, are in fact planned and predetermined by Canada as he is the one forcing these shifts. If I could handpick a coaching candidate that can get some space in the passing game over the middle of the field for a tight end or slot receiver, I am picking Canada.
I’m not saying Ebron is destined for a 1,500+ yard 14+ touchdown performance in 2021. However, you can rest assured that Ebron is going to put up the kind of production everyone was hoping for when he signed with the Steelers. This is a match made in heaven for Ebron. Regardless of who is throwing the ball, and the other receivers in 2021 if Ebron is in Pittsburgh come the start of the season expect to see him in All-Pro contention. He is just too good of a receiving threat and will be schemed for in this new offense to the point that he will look like a monster. I think Ebron is very excited about that.