Coach Mike Tomlin says the dismissal of offensive coordinator Matt Canada yesterday was difficult, but necessary, and it was very obvious that it was time to make the move. The Steelers’ offense is one of the worst statistically in the entire NFL and the development of quarterback Kenny Pickett has stalled, if not gone backwards.
Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner will have the title of offensive coordinator, but it won’t be the traditional role for that position. He will handle game-planning and video analysis, coordinate meetings, and oversee the offensive coaching staff. Quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan, who has been an offensive coordinator with two other NFL teams, will handle most of the actual in-game play calling.
Tomlin says Faulkner and Sullivan will both get a chance to grow into their roles, but the Steelers need results now.
Mike Sullivan has coached for twenty years in the NFL, mentoring Pro Bowl players such as Eli Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., and Steve Smith. He was offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Bucs for two seasons and was OC for two seasons under Ben McAdoo with the New York Giants. Tomlin says Sullivan’s relationship with Pickett will help smooth the transition from Canada.
Tomlin says the Steelers’ very simplistic offense is not progressing.
Steelers players had the day off yesterday so none of them were available to comment on Canada’s dismissal. Pickett typically has his weekly media session on Wednesday so he and his teammates will have plenty to say today when practices begin for Sunday’s game at Cincinnati.
The Steelers have elevated Mykal Walker to an inside linebacker starting spot on the depth chart and dropped Mark Robinson down the list. On Monday, they signed veteran Myles Jack to the practice squad and yesterday, they signed veteran inside linebacker Blake Martinez from Carolina’s practice squad. They also released linebacker Tyler Murray from the practice squad and signed defensive back Henry Black, who’s played with the Packers and been on the practice squads of three other teams since 2021.
