Steelers Daily Links: Canada Reaction, Rookies Ranked 10th

Reaction to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ retention of coordinator Matt Canada has come in from all corners, while the Steelers rookie class was ranked 10th in overall production.

🏈 Adam Schein of CBS Sports thinks the Steelers’ decision to bring Matt Canada back as their offensive coordinator is insane. “I’m stunned the great Mike Tomlin didn’t make a change. Pittsburgh deserved so much better. Kenny Pickett did, too,” Schein said.

🏈 The last Steelers offensive coordinator to not get to year three was Kevin Gilbride (1999-2000). Everyone else has been three years or more — Mike Mularkey (2001-2003), Ken Whisenhunt (2004-2006), Bruce Arians (2007-2011), Todd Haley (2012-2017) and Randy Fichtner (2018-2020).

🏈 Kenny Pickett raved about his chemistry with Matt Canada on Cam Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast. “He picks my brain on what I like and how I like it,” Pickett said. “Throughout the game, (he’s) asking me to rank plays. He likes to see the game from the quarterback’s point of view. He keeps things different. We really caught stride after that bye week, and we figured out what it takes to win — what that recipe looks like, so we can continue to grow as a team and grow as an offense.”

🏈 The Steelers finished 23rd in points per drive in 2022. The nine teams who were worse all fired their offensive coordinators/play callers.

🏈 A prominent Cleveland sports radio host even questioned the Steelers’ decision to bring back Matt Canada. “Well…I was worried the second half of the season would do for Joe Woods in Cleveland what it did for Matt Canada in Pittsburgh. If you’re not going to the playoffs, you at least try to adjust, fix, move forward,” Ken Carman of 92.3 The Fan tweeted.

🏈 ESPN ranked the Steelers 2022 rookie class at No. 10 for most production.

🏈 Former Cincinnati Bengals cornerback and West Virginia product Adam “Pacman” Jones is happy that Steelers assistant wide receivers coach Blaine Stewart is leaving the franchise for a position on the WVU coaching staff. “Best move you ever made 🧐🧐🧐🧐🧐come back home baby !!!! #eatshitpitt @WVUfootball,” Jones tweeted. Stewart’s dad, Bill Stewart, coached Jones at WVU.

🏈 Kenny Pickett was at the Duquesne women’s basketball game on Wednesday night.

Kenny Pickett in the house as #DuqWBB opens up an 8-2 advantage. Timeout SLU. @PghSportsNow pic.twitter.com/8CcZQxiTZR

— Zachary Weiss (@ZacharyMWeiss) January 18, 2023

🏈 The Steelers announced the launch of their own team-inspired map within NFL Zone, a multifaceted, dynamic metaverse experience built in Fortnite Creative. Launched on Wednesday, the NFL Zone is designed to engage existing fans while increasing fan discoverability through an NFL-inspired social hub for Fortnite players and NFL football fans alike.

🏈 Wednesday was the 35th anniversary of the retirements of Steelers Hall of Famers John Stallworth and Donnie Shell.

Wednesday also marked the 47th anniversary of the Steelers’ 21-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl X.

Though it garners less recognition than his iconic "Levitating Leap" reception, Lynn Swann's beautiful 32-yard "Kangaroo Catch" on the #Steelers' first scoring drive of Super Bowl X was equally as impressive. pic.twitter.com/LdEvT1a4jd

— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) January 18, 2023

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STEELERS, NFL SCHEDULE

🏈 The Steelers are off.

AROUND THE NETWORK

 Former Pitt running back Vincent Davis has transferred to UNLV, where he will link up with ex-Pitt coach Brennan Marion.

 Phil Bourque says the Penguins are working toward retiring Jaromir Jagr’s No. 68 jersey.

 West Virginia landed Tennessee State defensive line transfer Davoan Hawkins.

 Penn State QB Drew Allar has the 10th-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy, even though he hasn’t started a game yet.

 The Pirates farm system is not gettin a lot of love from external evaluators.