Mike Tomlin responds to Steelers fans chanting for firing of OC Matt Canada
Through the first two weeks of the NFL season, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense has struggled to get going. Because of that, fans are starting to get impatient with offensive coordinator Matt Canada. In some cases, they even want head coach Mike Tomlin to fire him.
Tomlin has heard the fans and he wants them to know that he appreciates their passion because it’s what keeps him in a job.
“I appreciate their passion,” Tomlin said. “I share their passion. We all do. Man, we love our fans, man. They inspire us. They challenge us. It’s an awesome relationship. Man, we don’t run from challenges, we run to challenges. This is the sport-entertainment business. It is our job to win and thus entertain them. And so we don’t begrudge them for that. We want them to be fat and sassy and spoiled. It is our job.”
Interestingly, Tomlin didn’t speak about Canada at all in his response. There was no vote of confidence or admission of an issue. In all of that, it makes it difficult to tell what Tomlin currently thinks of Canada.
Pittsburgh fans are going to hope that Canada takes this as a challenge to find a way to improve the offense and help an excellent defense to thrive by Week 3. After all, it’s not like there isn’t any talent on the offense. Najee Harris has proven he’s a talented NFL running back and nobody doubts George Pickens‘ talent.
The biggest question on the offense is going to be whether quarterback Kenny Pickett can develop into a better player than he’s proven to be at this point. As the offensive coordinator, Matt Canada is going to be responsible for his development.
Of course, coming into the season, Canada was happy with the offense.
“I’m happy with where we are, but I probably felt like a year ago we felt like we were on the right track. You’re always working at it. I do think we’re better. We’re more experienced. We have an identity amongst our team,” Canada said.
“We know on a team who we are, and I think Kenny’s being the quarterback and having all the reps and the timing and all those things.”
Mike Tomlin addressed his future
During the offseason, Mike Tomlin addressed his own future in football and considered how long it would be until he stepped away as a head coach.
“I probably have seen more days than I’m gonna see,” Mike Tomlin said. “I’m just trying to be realistic.”
At that point, Tomlin was asked if he was going to announce his retirement or if he knew when it was coming. He didn’t and doesn’t. However, Tomlin is confident that he won’t be coaching well into Social Security age like some coaches tend to do.
“I’m probably not going to do 34,” Tomlin explained.