The Pittsburgh Steelers might have a different look to their offense in 2021, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will still be pulling all the strings.
New Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada made his first public comments Tuesday since being promoted to the role in January. Canada told reporters Roethlisberger's desires and tendencies would be at the center of his offensive scheme:
“The quarterback is the focal point and it’s the greatest position in all of sport, in my opinion,” the Steelers OC said, via Ed Bouchette of The Athletic. “We’re going to do what Ben wants to do and how Ben wants to do it. …
“Matchups are how you win football games. Ben, it starts with the quarterback. What does he do well? What does he like? What does he see? What is good to his eye in the passing game? And then we build off of that. That’s what we’re going to do. His voice, his vision what he sees is what we’re going to do.”
Canada does hope to take the ball out of Roethlisberger's hands, at least a little bit. He said the Steelers hope to have a more balanced and effective rushing attack.
Still, it seems Pittsburgh's offensive success will ultimately depend upon the 39-year-old's ability to make in-game reads and adjust accordingly.
There had been plenty speculation as to whether the Steelers would bring “Big Ben” back given his enormous cap hit, but the two sides eventually agreed on a contract restructure. Pittsburgh then bolstered the offense by re-signing wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and drafting former Alabama running back Najee Harris, though the offensive line will look quite a bit different.
The Steelers have undergone some changes in the offseason. One thing that hasn't changed is Roethlisberger remaining at the epicenter of the team's offense.
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