Steelers' Former Executive Insinuates That Art Rooney II Made Final Call Regarding Termination Of Matt Canada

The Pittsburgh Steelers made headlines on Tuesday after announcing that Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada had been relieved of his duties. Initially, it was widely believed that Head Coach Mike Tomlin made the decision. However, there are now speculations emerging that the call to let Canada go may have come directly from Steelers' owner, Art Rooney II. During a recent appearance on The Fan Morning Show, Doug Whaley, a football executive who previously held positions as the director of football operations for the Steelers and the general manager for the Buffalo Bills, was questioned about his perspective on the circumstances surrounding the firing.

"If it was Mike Tomlin's decision, it would've been done Monday morning. He would've called him in Monday morning before anybody got there and said, 'I'm letting you go,' so he can get his stuff out of there or come back late that night to clean out his office, and then when he met with the team on Monday, he would've said, 'We're making this change,' so people wouldn't be hearing it from media or social media."

While Tomlin displayed great allegiance towards Canada, there is little to no justification for allowing Canada to continue as the offensive coordinator of the Steelers beyond the 2022 season, at the very latest. The decision to retain him has resulted in numerous setbacks, specifically evident in the performance of the team's offense.

Whaley continued.

"I think what happened, [he] came in Monday, they did it, Art [Rooney II] said Monday night, 'Let’s meet, Coach Tomlin. We have to make a move…' That’s, to me, the most standard operating procedure and most professional way to do it. Don’t let that guy come in blindsided when everybody else is around. You call him in, 'Hey, get here at 4:30 in the morning,' so he can have some dignity, clear out his office, and not have to be walking in like, 'Alright, let’s go. Let’s get ready for Cincy…' I’m not saying that’s the way it happened, but it sounds like it.”

Ever since Canada assumed control of the Steelers offense in 2021, it has certainly been difficult to witness their performance. Perhaps one of the most baffling aspects during his tenure is the fact that Canada's unit has never managed to accumulate over 400 total yards in a single game, making it one of the most appalling streaks in the history of the NFL. Despite holding a 6-4 record and remaining in contention for a playoff spot, the Steelers have yet to surpass their opponents in yardage during the 2023 season.

It would have been a logical decision for Tomlin to delay firing Canada until the players were not present, in order to prevent any uncomfortable situations within the team when Canada would clean out his office on Monday. However, Tomlin had the option to simply call Canada in the morning, handle the matter, and address the team in a more professional manner. Unfortunately, this did not happen, as numerous players disclosed that they had not been informed and were equally surprised when the news broke.

Although it may at first appear inconsiderate to exclude the players from the decision-making process, especially for those observing from outside Pittsburgh, Tomlin viewed it as his responsibility. In the press conference on Tuesday, held in response to the announcement of Canada's departure, Tomlin made a deliberate effort to shoulder the blame himself. This decision was not one that Tomlin had wanted, but made him feel like he had also let down his team as a head coach, leading him to bear the burden single-handedly.

Steelers Have Been Relying Heavily on Defensive Unit to Win Games

Having a dynamic offense has become a crucial factor in winning games in the NFL today. While the defense has shown resilience in closing out games and making game-changing plays, solely relying on their performance has not consistently proven to be a winning strategy. A prime example of this occurred in Week 11 when the defense allowed just 13 points against the Cleveland Browns. Despite their effort, Pittsburgh lost due to the offense's inability to surpass a score of 10 points. Nonetheless, Canada is no longer a part of the organization, which means they must shift their focus towards improving the offense's structure, particularly in preparation for their upcoming match against the Cincinnati Bengals scheduled for this Sunday.

Do you think any changes will be made to the offense with Canada gone? What are their chances of winning for the remainder of the season? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

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