Steelers fire offensive coordinator Matt Canada as offensive woes persist

The Pittsburgh Steelers have become celebrated this season for their ability to beat teams despite being outgained by them.

It's a distinction that has helped the Steelers start 6-4 this season, but might not help them reach the postseason. The Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada, the team announced on Tuesday morning. 

"Matt Canada has been relieved of his duties as offensive coordinator. I appreciate Matt's hard work and dedication, and I wish him the best moving forward in his career," Steelers longtime coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. 

The Steelers rank 28th in points per game (16.6), 28th in offensive yards per game (280.1), and 31st in passing yards per game (170) this season. They have gained 2,801 yards, 30th among 32 NFL teams, while their defense has allowed the eighth-most yards defensively with 3,676.

Pittsburgh is also 25th in the NFL on converting 34.6% of their third downs and 47.4% of their red zone opportunities.

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Second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett has also struggled, completing 60.5% of his passes for 1,722 yards with just six touchdowns and four interceptions and a 79.2 quarterback rating.

Despite their lulls offensively, the Steelers are in the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. Pittsburgh is also third in the AFC North, which has seen some decisive injuries alter the outlook for the rest of the season. 

The Cincinnati Bengals lost star quarterback Joe Burrow, the Baltimore Ravens lost star tight end Mark Andrews, and the Cleveland Browns lost their starting quarterback Deshaun Watson to season-ending injuries in the last week. 

Steelers running back Najee Harris was also outspoken after Pittsburgh’s 13-10 loss to Cleveland last week. 

"You can look at the record and say, OK, we're still good right now, or you could look at the record and be like, if we keep playing this type of football, how long is that (expletive) gonna last," Harris said postgame.

"I look at it like how long is the (expletive) gonna last. You all can look at it like it's a good record, but it's the NFL. Winning like how we did is not gonna get us nowhere."

NFL Network reports Steelers quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan will be the team’s new offensive play caller, while running backs coach Eddie Faulkner will also have a big role in game planning and on game days.

The Steelers visit the Bengals in a crucial AFC North matchup Sunday in Week 12.