The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense was very predictable during Matt Canada's tenure as the offensive coordinator for two and a half seasons. Canada started as Pittsburgh's quarterbacks coach in 2020, then a year later became the offensive play-caller for Ben Roethlisberger's last professional season. Canada's playbook only seemed to consist of half back dives and jet sweeps, and Calvin Austin III suffered with the consequences on his first NFL reception.
To kick off their 2023 season, the Steelers were hosting the San Francisco 49ers at Acrisure Stadium. The whole city of Pittsburgh was going into the Week 1 matchup with a lot of confidence and excitement because of the success the team had in the preseason. Kenny Pickett's 2022 rookie season with Canada did not go well, but the two had seemed to have maybe figured something out in the 2023 offseason.
Pickett and the Steelers' offense knew they had to improve by a large amount from the previous season, and when Canada and Pickett scored on every possession in the preseason, they had everyone all fooled completely. The Steel City thought that 2023 wouldn't just be a rehash of 2022, but that indeed was the case. Canada and his offense were up against a big challenge facing the 49ers' defense, which arguably has been the best defense in all of football.
Steelers fans were even more excited about this game because it would be Austin's NFL debut, as he missed all of his 2022 rookie season with an injury. Austin, who ran a 4.32 40 yard dash at the combine, was supposed to be one of Canada's biggest offensive threats. Predictably, Canada ordered Austin to go in motion, per the play design, but the only thing there for Austin was a bunch of 49ers defenders. Austin, who was on The Ed Block CourageCast, reminisced about his first reception in the big leagues.
"When I got in, I had got a jet sweep, and it was versus the 49ers, and as soon as I caught it, I saw nothing but like white jerseys," Austin said. "Like, it was almost like they knew what was coming. So I got it, then I saw Fred Warner flash, and then the safety flashed across my face. I remember coming back to the sidelines thinking, 'Man, if this is how it's gonna be.' I felt like I was literally running for my life."
The Steelers fell to a 20-point deficit early to the 49ers, and ultimately lost the game 30-7 while Pickett finished with two interceptions. From there on, most knew that the Pickett-Canada duo did not get better over the course of the 2023 offseason, and that the two would not be the future for the Steelers. Canada's weak play-calling continued for most of the season, until he was let go after 10 games.
Steelers' Play-Calling Should Be Greatly Improved With Arthur Smith Calling The Shots
After three brutal seasons offensively, the Steelers said enough is enough and hired Arthur Smith. Most recently, Smith was the Atlanta Falcons' head coach. It became quickly evident that Smith was better suited as an offensive coordinator, though.
Previously before Atlanta, Smith was the coordinator for the Tennessee Titans when they reached the AFC Championship game in 2020. Smith's Tennessee offense was similarly built to the Steelers' current offense, with a heavy workload for the running backs and focus on play-action pass.
Smith is in a great spot with Pittsburgh, and it shouldn't be a tall task to be better than Canada. Austin has gotten a lot of attention this offseason, and the Steel City is wishing Smith can turn him into the speedy threat he was meant to be.