The Steelers' offense has been a sore spot for the team ever since Matt Canada took over as offensive coordinator. There is a lot of blame to be spread around whenever an offense is this bad, but Canada has to shoulder most of the blame. Players who run his bland and predictable scheme are not doing much to help his cause though.
A new day of hope has to be on the horizon. It makes little to no sense for Mike Tomlin to keep Canada around this year and beyond just the mere fact there are not many others on the coaching staff capable of calling plays. If there are not any other options on the staff to fill in, that is more a reflection of how poor Tomlin has assembled his inadequate staff.
Matt Canada's potential replacement might already be on the Steelers staff
Well, if history repeats itself, we already know who will be taking over for Matt Canada after the year. Mike Sullivan is currently the quarterbacks coach for the Steelers, which is the position that Canada held before he became the offensive coordinator. If Mike Tomlin continues his past trends, then it will be Sullivan who gets the promotion after the year.
If Canada gets the boot during the season, then expect someone like Sullivan to get the promotion on an interim basis and see how the offense operates under his call. If that scenario plays out, then expect him to have many voices in his ear to make play calls on the offensive side of the ball. This would be another trend that Tomlin has not seen go in a successful direction during his tenure.
Frank Reich is a local connection to Pittsburgh that could make sense if he gets fired
One name that gained traction last offseason before it was official that Matt Canada was returning had been Frank Reich. He is currently the Head coach of the Carolina Panthers, but that team is on their way to having a top-five pick in the upcoming NFL draft. It seems likely that Reich could be one and done with the Panthers which would leave him unemployed.
It would make a lot of sense for Reich as the constant Head coach candidate would be qualified for the job. He also hails from the Pittsburgh area and would seemingly enjoy a homecoming to the Steel City. The Steelers would be wise to bring on board an experienced coach who can run the offense and allow someone like Mike Tomlin to concentrate on the defensive side of things.
Brandon Staley was once seen as a wiz kid and might need a rebound
Another head coach on the hot seat who could be looking for work is Brandon Staley currently of the LA Chargers. Staley is a defensive coach by trade, but he is a good offensive mind as well. However, he might be too aggressive to be a head coach in the NFL. The Chargers have routinely disappointed since Staley took over and some of his fourth-down conversion decisions have been brought into question.
Staley became the top coach of the Chargers because of his quality experience. He would be an interesting name to watch for the Steelers if he were let go by the end of the season. Many might not see Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator job as a destination location, but if they can turn that group around quickly then they will be right in the interview process for another top job in the league.
Byron Leftwich is looking for work and has a good track record behind him
One coach that might've been a good idea to bring on board last offseason as an offensive consultant is Byron Leftwich. Maybe he had the Tom Brady effect when he was the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay. He is a smart and upcoming coach who gained a lot of attention for some top jobs across the NFL just a couple of seasons ago.
It would make a lot of sense as Tomlin knows him and Leftwich has experience in Pittsburgh during his playing days. This hire would make a lot of sense for all parties involved and Leftwich might be able to help mentor Kenny Pickett since he used to play the position in the NFL. He should probably be on the coaching staff already, but it would make sense for him to be the replacement.
Duce Staley is a former Steelers player that could make sense to hire
Another former player for the Steelers that would make some sense to join the coaching staff. He is in Carolina with the Panthers as their assistant head coach and Running backs coach. He has not called plays in the NFL, but Staley has been seeking the right opportunity to keep advancing his coaching career. Expect him to push for bigger jobs in the NFL in the next couple of years if he can find the right spot.
Staley is a former running back for Pittsburgh and even won a Super Bowl with the team. He might be able to fit the bill that the black and gold are looking for in their offensive style. They want a ground-and-pound attack on the ground that allows for splash plays in the air. Staley would probably like that style as an offensive coordinator and consider the job here if it was presented to him.
The offense could get a boost by hiring someone like Kevin O'Connell
Welcome back to the hot seat trail for NFL top coaches who could get fired this year. Kevin O'Connell would be somewhat of a surprise if he was let go following the season. He is coming off a successful rookie year as the top dog in Minnesota. His second year could not have started off a worse way as the club sits at a 1-3 record at this point in time.
O'Connell is a young coach who comes from an offensive background. He was even a backup quarterback in the NFL. The Steelers need someone who can come up with new offensive concepts and someone that is willing to work on Pickett's game. O'Connell has been a quarterback coach in the past and could be the best of both worlds.
Kevin Stefanski could be another option if his job comes into question
Changing Cleveland in for Pittsburgh might be one of the best upgrades in sports except for the whole demotion part. Kevin Stefanski has been the most successful Head coach for the Browns since he took over in 2020. He has seen success there since the Browns won their first playoff game in a while. That success has only ramped up the expectations.
Unfortunately for him and Cleveland fans, that has not turned into anything of substance. They have not been back to the playoffs and have not come close to the Super Bowl. He could get fired soon if he cannot find that level of success this season. The Steelers would be a viable revenge job for Stefanski as his offensive mind would be beneficial to the club.
Joe Brady is an up and coming coach that the Steelers might like
Looking into a program like the Buffalo Bills here for a potential offensive coordinator option outside of Pittsburgh. Maybe they will look for a young coach who is looking for his shot at a promotion outside of Buffalo. That is where a guy like Joe Brady could become a viable option for the black and gold after this season concludes.
He is a former offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers last year and has a connection to William and Mary. That is the same college that Mike Tomlin attended, which he always likes to connect people to. Brady is still a young coach at only 34 years old, but he would surely like a job opportunity where he could redeem himself moving forward.
Darrell Bevell would bring a lot of experience coming out of Miami
Another coach who helps the quarterback position right now who could see a promotion after the year is Darrell Bevell. Many of Mike McDaniel's staff will likely be brought onto other teams with certain promotions being made. The Miami Dolphins offense has been great through the early parts of the season and someone like Bevell will benefit from that.
Bevell has a lot of NFL experience as an offensive coordinator, but none of his stays have gone extremely well. The Head coaches that he was under did not last long at their respective jobs at the time either. The Steelers could use someone like Bevell who has a lot of experience calling plays and someone who could have learned a thing or two from the high-flying Dolphins offense.
Davis Webb would be a young coach to gamble on with little experience
Going in a new direction here as the Steelers could take another gamble for their next offensive coordinator after Matt Canada. Going the young route here by adding someone like Davis Webb. He is in his first year of coaching after Sean Peyton hired him onto his coaching staff with the Broncos almost immediately after Webb retired. He is the quarterbacks coach for Denver this season.
If Russell Wilson sees signs of improvement from his game last year then Webb will get a lot of accolades. He is a young coach, but he knows how NFL offenses work and that could help him get into the next phase of his coaching career. Webb would be a gamble, but he could be someone that makes Kenny Pickett more comfortable.
Josh McCown could be a future Head Coach in the NFL if given the chance
Josh McCown is another recently retired quarterback who could climb NFL coaching trees soon. He is currently with the Carolina Panthers, and it seems like things are not going to plan there right now. He is still a young coach but has a lot of NFL experience with 18 years at the position in the NFL. He is the quarterbacks coach for the Panthers and the progress of Bryce Young will be his guide.
Kind of like Webb, a lot of their potential promotions will be backed behind what they can get out of their quarterbacks. Someone like McCown knows how to run an offense as a quarterback, he just wasn't the best during his playing days with his attributes. McCown is someone that could be a Head coach someday in the NFL and the Steelers could see that.
Pep Hamilton has been linked to the Steelers in the past and could be a top choice
When Matt Canada's job was brought into question last offseason, many people threw around a couple of names that could make sense. Byron Leftwich was a name mentioned before that has obvious connections to the Steelers. Another name that could potentially be an option after this season is up could be Pep Hamilton. That is if Canada is let go following this year.
Hamilton has a long and ranging list of football experience as a coach on the offensive side of the ball. Most of his experience has come from the NFL, but he has also coached in college and in the XFL. He is still on the younger side even though he has a ton of experience in coaching. He is looking for a new opportunity and would be a good fit with Mike Tomlin.
Marcus Brady brings a wealth of experience and Philadelphia offensive knowledge
Marcus Brady has a good number of experience on the offensive side of the ball both as a player and a coach. He is a former quarterback who spent six years in the Canadian Football League. After his playing days were over, Brady transitioned to coaching and did that in Canada too. After nearly eight years going through the Canadian coaching ranks, Brady would finally join the NFL as a coach.
He has been an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for most of his career after retiring as a player. He currently holds the job title of "Senior offensive assistant" for the Philadelphia Eagles. He knows how to call plays and could be a nice addition to the Steelers coaching staff. Brady is still on the younger side and someone who has a good amount of football knowledge.
Klint Kubiak comes from NFL bloodlines which the Steelers love
One thing that Pittsburgh loves as an organization is NFL bloodlines. Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan love to see when a player's family member was in the league or someone, they consider family. That trend has not carried over to Tomlin's coaching staff yet, but that could change sometime soon. One name that pops to mind with obvious bloodlines is Klint Kubiak,
His father is Gary Kubiak, who had a successful career in the NFL and had an offensive mind. Klint is now with the San Francisco 49ers and learning behind Kyle Shanahan. He is still a young guy, but he has a lot of NFL experience already and currently holds the "Passing Game Coordinator" position in the Bay Area. He would be a young guy with an NFL connection from birth that could interest the Steelers.
Zac Robinson could be the next in line from the Rams to find a promotion elsewhere
One program in the NFL that has produced high-level offensive-minded coaches in the past half a decade or so has been the LA Rams. Sean McVay has been able to teach a lot of these coaches on his staff different ways of attacking the opposition's defense. That has led to many different promotions for his positional coaches and coordinators.
Zac Robinson could be the next up on that list of the McVay coaching tree. He has gained experience in this league but has yet to be an offensive coordinator. He is currently the "Pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach" for the Rams. Robinson will probably be looking for a promotion somewhere and the Steelers might be wise to take someone from McVay's staff.
Greg Olson (the coach) has a ton of experience that he could bring to the offense
Going in another direction here as Pittsburgh could always try and go with an older route on the next hire. Their new offensive coordinator could be closer to the end of his coaching career rather than just starting. It might not be the most popular route with how the NFL is currently going, but someone like Greg Olson could make sense.
No this is not Greg Olsen, the former tight end that recently retired. This is Olson the coach that has a ton of experience in the NFL on the offensive side of the ball. He is currently the quarterbacks coach with the Seattle Seahawks. He has been an offensive coordinator often throughout his career and could be someone who interests the club with the amount of experience he brings.
Mike Mularkey has connections to Pittsburgh and shares an extensive history with them
Sticking to the older side of things here when it comes to potential Canada replacements. Mike Mularkey has a connection with the Steelers organization and could be a nice get for Mike Tomlin. Right now, Mularkey is out of a job and has not coached in the NFL since 2019. He is a former Head coach in the league and has a lot of other coaching experience.
He is a former player in Pittsburgh and actually held the role of offensive coordinator for the Steelers from 2001 to 2003. It would probably take some convincing, but bringing in someone with a wealth of offensive knowledge would be a benefit to Pickett. Having someone on the staff to control the offense while Tomlin focuses elsewhere might be the best outcome.
Anthony Lynn is a former Head Coach that could get there again if he can fix the Steelers offense
When you look at coaches across the league who are looking for a shot at redemption, there are plenty around the NFL. Anthony Lynn one that stands out as the former top coach of the LA Chargers has been looking to find stable ground since his firing there. He has bounced around from place to place recently and has settled in San Francisco since 2022.
He is their "Assistant Head coach and running backs coach" and is searching for a good opportunity for another promotion. Tomlin would probably like his style and having a figure to fix this offense is something the Steelers need. Lynn is a former Head coach with a ton of experience who has been learning the ways of the 49ers for a while. Could be a nice get next year.
Mark Whipple is an obvious choice with his connection to Kenny Pickett
Perhaps the most obvious choice that people have been beating the door down for since Pickett was drafted by the Steelers. Mark Whipple was his offensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh. He helped Pickett get to his level of success and is someone that Pickett would be comfortable with if the Steelers made the change from Canada.
Maybe having Pickett basically choose your new offensive coordinator would not be the best choice. Whipple has a ton of experience both at the NFL and college level. He has yet to break out of the positional coaching spot in the NFL ranks, but that could change here. Whipple is another older option, but his connection to Pickett makes a lot of sense for the Steelers.