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The Pittsburgh Steelers used to be a perennial NFL powerhouse. However, they have faced a tumultuous 2023 season filled with unexpected twists. Despite their storied history and passionate fanbase, this season has proven to be a rollercoaster ride. It has been marked by significant changes that have strangely catapulted them into dark horse contender status.
The Steelers' 2023 NFL season has seen many highs and lows. With a current record of 7-4, they started strong but faced setbacks, only to rebound with a recent winning streak against formidable opponents.
The Unprecedented Coordinator Change
A significant juncture in the Steelers' season occurred with the unusual mid-season dismissal of offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Following a Week 10 defeat, this decision garnered attention. It prompted discussions about its potential impact on the team's future.
While Tomlin advocated for patience as Canada entered his third season, discontent had been building outside the organization for months.
The rallying cry of “Fire Canada” has become widespread. It echoed not only at Steelers' games but also made appearances during Pittsburgh Penguins home matches and on homemade signs featured on other network broadcasts.
The hashtag “#FireCanada” gained traction on social media during Steelers games, with the criticism often taking a strangely personal tone. Tomlin has long mastered the art of tuning out external noise. However, internal voices have grown louder in the past month.
Not even right tackle Chuks Okorafor could distance himself from the issue. Recall that he lost his position for expressing frustration about the direction of the offense. Wide receivers George Pickens and Diontae Johnson have both openly conveyed their discontent, whether through words, body language, or both. In their recent loss against the Cleveland Browns, running back Najee Harris stated he was simply “tired of this (stuff)” after the Steelers were outperformed for the 10th consecutive game.
Tomlin chose not to delve into specifics regarding the tipping point, stating it occurred when he made the decision to make the change.
“I’m just not going to get into a lot of details and give you the pound of flesh that you’re hunting,” Tomlin said.
Immediate Impact
In contrast to initial skepticism, the removal of Matt Canada has yielded positive results for the Steelers' offense. In their Week 12 clash against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team showcased significant improvements. Surprisingly, they achieved their highest total offensive yards for the season.
Facing the Bengals, Pittsburgh amassed 421 yards of total offense. This marked the first instance since Week 2 of the 2020 season that they exceeded 400 yards.
Keep in mind that under Canada's tenure as the Steelers' OC, the team struggled in 45 out of 59 consecutive games to reach the 400-yard mark. In just one game as the interim coordinator, Eddie Faulkner has already surpassed his predecessor. However, much credit is due to the Steelers' offensive weapons, who seemed to come alive in Week 12.
Kenny Pickett demonstrated efficiency by completing 24-of-33 passes for 248 yards without scoring. Najee Harris also achieved a season-high with 95 rushing yards, and Pat Freiermuth contributed 120 receiving yards.
With their explosive offense, Pittsburgh secured a 16-10 victory over the Bengals. More importantly, they improved to a 7-4 record and positioned themselves favorably for the playoffs. Nonetheless, there is still work to be done for the Steelers to be considered legitimate contenders.
Matt Canada watching the Steelers reach 400 yards for the first time in 59 games pic.twitter.com/Helo85t3FD
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 26, 2023
Playoff Picture and Team Aspirations
Despite the season's fluctuations, the Steelers are unlikely contenders for an AFC playoff spot. With six games remaining, they are within reach of higher-ranked teams and are determined to secure their spot in the postseason.
The situation feels different now. Pittsburgh has not won a playoff game since 2016, and the offense has been stagnant for years. The Steelers have not ranked in the top half of the league in yards or points since 2018.
Their remaining schedule also appears relatively manageable. They faced the Cardinals, Patriots, Colts, Bengals, Seahawks, and Ravens. Currently holding the fifth spot in the AFC, the Steelers trail just behind the Miami Dolphins and are ahead of the injury-plagued Browns.
Historical Significance
Remember that Mike Tomlin patiently waited for the offense crafted by Matt Canada to show signs of life, progress, and dynamic play required for the team's aspirations.
Unfortunately, these signs just did not come. They didn't emerge consistently in 2021 when Canada and Ben Roethlisberger reached a frosty detente before barely making it to the playoffs. Nor did they surface in 2022, when Mitch Trubisky and Kenny Pickett executed a game plan focused on risk minimization.
This year, despite Tomlin's expectations, the anticipated progress never materialized. Instead, the weeks passed with a flurry of three-and-outs, field goals, and narrow escapes primarily orchestrated by the defense. Fans weren't really surprised, though.
By Tuesday morning, Tomlin had seen enough, making the nearly unprecedented in-season move of firing Canada. Such a change at the coordinator level or higher hadn't occurred for the historically stable Steelers since the tumultuous year of 1941, which saw three head coaching changes.
Looking Ahead
The Pittsburgh Steelers' bold coordinator change has been a linchpin in their resurgence and darkhorse contender status. While met with initial controversy, the move has revitalized the team. It has seemingly fostered improved offensive performance and instilled a renewed sense of energy. As the Steelers navigate the remaining games, they stand poised to continue their unexpected postseason push in the 2023 NFL season.
