Is Matt Canada setting up the Steelers 2021 offense to fail?
By Andrew Falce
After recent quotes surfaced, it appears as though the Steelers offense may not be making as big of an adjustment as some had hoped.
There has been a lot of speculation on how the Steelers’ new offense will look under new offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Given his usage of motion, play action, and mobility under center, it appeared as though the team could have been in store for a new-look offense.
Considering how lackluster this unit was a year ago, especially once teams caught on to the game plan (short passes). All of this speculation came to a halt after a recent quote from Canada surfaced.
Coach Canada on Ben: We're going to do what Ben wants to do and how Ben wants to do it...the QB is the focal point and it's the greatest position in all sports...terminology has been an adjustment for Ben and he's doing great...he's adapted easily, like we all knew he would.
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) June 15, 2021
Reading that quote instantly brings memories of Randy Fitchner back. The former offensive coordinator was elevated to that role for this exact reason, he was going to allow Ben Roethlisberger to run the offense how he deemed fit. After two years of horrible results, his contract wasn’t renewed, and Canada now takes his place. Based on this quote, it seems like history may be repeating itself.
Steelers should consider Roethlisberger in the offense
In no way should the Steelers try to implement what Canada did as a college coach in this offense. It requires a mobile quarterback and Roethlisberger isn’t that anymore. That said, to completely throw out Canada’s style in favor of whatever Roethlisberger wants to do is just as wrong. This offense floundered last season down the stretch, and if it isn’t changed then the results will likely be similar this year.
The biggest draw to hiring Canada as the offensive coordinator was his creative play-calling and use of motion and play-action. While his offense isn’t a perfect fit for Roethlisberger, a few minor adjustments could make this work. Instead, it appears as though the offense will be all about Roethlisberger once again.
What should be done is a compromise of sorts. Roethlisberger gets some say, but at the end of the day, this offense needs to be Canada’s. This team struggled when allowing Roethlisberger to run the offense, and the team will regress if that is the plan heading into 2021. Canada needs to make his mark as a coordinator this year, even if it means doing some things that Roethlisberger isn’t in favor of.
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Now, it is extremely early in the process right now, and this may have been more hyperbole than anything, but if this report is true, the Steelers’ offense may once again be hampered. Sure, Najee Harris will improve the running game, but if the game plan is similar to what the team did last season, expect regression. Building the offense with Roethlisberger in mind is one thing but allowing him to have complete control is just asking for trouble.