‘It’s Comedy’: Former NFL QB Blasts Steelers OC Matt Canada

Matt Canada and the Steelers’ offense are looking to change what they are doing in 2023. With a hunt for more explosive plays and a more robust play-action game with Kenny Pickett heading into his second year, the team has vowed to change what they were doing on that side of the ball with upgraded talent across the unit. However, not everyone seems convinced that much will change with the team’s passing game.

Former NFL quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan, the host of QB School, broke down Pickett’s tape. To start out the video, he went to Canada, pointing out that the team ran basic-level concepts such as Hank and Stick-Spacing, which are short-based routes. Those two plays were the first down throws to Pat Freiermuth and the loss on the swing pass to Najee Harris.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) attempts a pass as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Mike Greene applies pressure during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

These are two concepts designed to be easy completions but are often lamented as dink-and-dunk ideas that can not create explosive plays, and from that perspective, O’Sullivan is correct. But basically, every team runs those concepts. But the Steelers do run it more than others, at least in the past. This is where O’Sullivan really picks up his rant towards Canada and what he is trying to do with the offense.

“So, Hank and Spacing to get us going? That’s what we’re doing, Steelers? I personally would struggle in an environment like this,” O’Sullivan said. “Now, I’m sure Mike Tomlin and Matt Canada could care less what I would do. But even as a fan of football, let me just say, there is so much better stuff than that… those two concepts shouldn’t even be in playbooks anymore. There’s just so much better stuff, yet we still see it every year, but for this team, this organization, I think they do it more than others. It is two middle fingers to the dropback passing evolution to what football is and what it should be now. It’s comedy and pain at the same time.”

Those are harsh words towards Canada over two plays, especially on one when the team dials up some solid plays and gets to the end zone. Of course, if Canada and the Steelers’ offense struggle, it is hard to see him back after this year. There is a reason for skepticism at this point surrounding Canada and the offense. O’Sullivan’s points certainly withhold the tape last year. The biggest question is if they hold this year as well.