Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada is perhaps the most reviled assistant coach in the entire NFL.
Nobody, and I mean nobody, believes Canada is worthy of a play-calling job in professional football. Steelers fans especially believe he’s hindering the development of second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett.
It’s gotten to the point where chants of “FIRE CANADA!” aren’t confined to Acrisure Stadium or even the Steelers’ road venues. They’ve spread to Columbus, Ohio, where Pat McAfee and ESPN have set up shop ahead of Saturday’s Big Ten duel between Ohio State and Penn State.
We've got FIRE CANADA chants in Ohio#PMSLive #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/uPYpSNmYr2
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 20, 2023
Pittsburgh ranks 30th in the NFL in points per game and total yards per game. Although it’s a franchise far more known for its defensive prowess (see: Steel Curtain, etc.) over the course of its iconic history, fans would prefer a 21st-ceuntry offense of some kind. To date, Canada has failed to deliver that.
With the NHL season getting underway, there have been multiple en masse anti-Canada rallying cries from Penguins stans:
A "Fire [Matt] Canada" chant erupted during the Pittsburgh Penguins game tonight.
Here's the thing: #Penguins have 3 players on their roster from Canada, while the #Blackhawks (opponents) have 13 Canadian players. Probably some confusion there on the ice. pic.twitter.com/tD2bQXRJ24
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 11, 2023
Penguins fans celebrating our 4-0 win vs the Capitals in D.C. by chanting “Fire Matt Canada” 😂 #firemattcanada pic.twitter.com/2dWV5HiRpe
— John Gatesman (@John_Gatesman) October 14, 2023
I mean, the vitriol is EVERYWHERE. Some brave-souled film junkies who’ve sifted through the Steelers’ game tape are appalled by what they’ve seen:
For every praise I can muster for Steelers OC Matt Canada, there are a hundred WTF moments.
This has to be the least-inspired 3rd down play ever, and it looks like the defense knew it was coming: three comebacks and a curl. This isn't a concept, it's just routes thrown together. pic.twitter.com/UhbVbUiWzR
— Mike Frazer ✝️ (@MPFrazer) October 14, 2023
Scoring is in the NFL is down overall.
Here are some reasons:
– Defensive emphasis in the red zone
– OL depth
– More/ better sim pressure packages around the league
– Matt Canada— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) October 18, 2023
Maintaining the status quo is something Pittsburgh is notorious for. Mike Tomlin has been the head coach since Bill Cowher resigned after a 15-season tenure in January 2007.
Not like upper management is keen to make an in-season example of Canada by relieving him of his duties. That’s been confirmed in a recent report, too.
𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧: The #Steelers have NO plans to fire OC Matt Canada or to even switch playcallers, per @DMRussini
The team reportedly held a meeting this week to try to find some solutions.
Full Article Here: https://t.co/FsaLnYR3mu pic.twitter.com/I8nxNHcQrV
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 14, 2023
The vibes are super weird even when things go well. Pickett hooked up with George Pickens for what turned out to be a game-winning touchdown in Week 5. Canada’s reaction (or lack thereof) went viral.
Way too much is being made of the video. The guy is just doing his job. I’m not a Matt Canada fan at all — but criticizing him here for his lack of reaction is just looking for something that isn’t there.
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) October 9, 2023
I disagree with the premise of the above tweet/X post. There is absolutely something strange about Canada having zero reaction. My best guess? Canada is so numb to all the criticism and exhausted by all the long hours he’s put in that he doesn’t know how to behave when something actually works. It’s a pretty rare occurrence, as the basic yards/points stats I cited underscore.
So go off, Steelers fans in Columbus, Ohio. Chant “FIRE CANADA!” till your throat and lungs spontaneously combust. It will not happen until after the 2023 season, if at all.
