OC options for Steelers to replace Canada after Black Monday

With Black Monday now over for the NFL, here are three potential offensive coordinators the Steelers can replace Matt Canada with.

The first Monday after every NFL season is a bleak one for a lot of teams. The slew of groups that miss out on the playoffs have to begin planning for the offseason. The first big step of that is addressing coaching changes. Dubbed “Black” Monday, this day sees most head coaches get the axe from teams they have let down.

The Steelers should be on high alert right now, as finding a replacement for Matt Canada has to be a top priority. With the coaching landscape a lot more open now, this team would be wise to look at some different options to bring in as their new offensive coordinator. Here are three prime coordinator options for the team now that Black Monday has passed.

Steelers should target Hackett

A name a lot of fans may recoil right now, Nathaniel Hackett was a great offensive mind before he joined the Broncos as their head coach. He consistently led the Packers offense to sustained success and looked like a good hire for Denver last season. His ability to put together a complete team was lacking though, and he flamed out quickly with the Broncos.

Just because he was a bad head coach doesn’t mean Hackett can’t resume his career as an offensive coordinator. Sure, he had a lot of talent in Green Bay, but he also made the most of a lacking receiver room and consistently fielded good rushing attacks. He would be a welcome fit for a Steelers offense that needs a spark in 2023.

Steelers should target Kingsbury

The only name on this list that was actually let go of on Black Monday, Kliff Kingsbury is a great offensive mind. He struggled this year as his quarterback battled injuries, but he was a key player in Kyler Murray’s progression into a top quarterback in the NFL. The Steelers would love to see their own quarterback Kenny Pickett have a similar ascension.

While not my favorite name on this list, Kingsbury has an innovative mind and a knack for developing top quarterbacks. He was key in Patrick Mahomes’ development while at Texas Tech and for Murray’s development as a pro. My guess is he will head back to the college ranks for a new gig, but he would certainly be an upgrade if the Steelers landed him.

Steelers should target Reich

My personal favorite coordinator option, Frank Reich has a long history of running successful offenses in the NFL. He is a more traditional coordinator that won’t throw in a lot of the innovation that others may look for, but he develops quarterbacks well and has a history of consistent and talented offenses.

Reich isn’t going to be the innovative mind that Hackett or Kingsbury would be, but he is the safest name on this list. His track record with quarterbacks is just as impressive, and adding him to the roster would boost the development of Pickett. Of every name that was let go during Black Monday, Reich makes the most sense to take over for Canada in 2023.

The Steelers would be wise to move on from Canada this offseason, and Black Monday could give them the chance to start fresh. While there are a slew of potential offensive coordinators around, these three stick out as the best options for the team now that they are looking for a new home.