Reason for delayed decision on Steelers coaching staff revealed

The Steelers could still be making changes with the coaching staff. A personal situation Mike Tomlin is tending to has delayed the decision.

Pittsburgh Steelers fans, especially those who are loudly against Matt Canada as offensive coordinator, are likely wondering why 10 days have come and gone since the end of the season yet no coaching staff firings have been announced after the team failed to make the NFL playoffs and put up the 26th-ranked scoring offense.

Many have probably accepted that at this point, changes won’t be made to the staff, but that’s possibly not the case, as there’s a reason for the delay. According to Mark Kaboly of The Athletic (subscription required) Mike Tomlin is tending to a personal matter, and as such, official decisions about the staff are being put on hold.

Some thought that the Steelers might have been waiting for a possible replacement, Byron Leftwich, to become available.

Kaboly also reported player exit meetings will be held on Zoom this week.

Even with Steelers explanation, Matt Canada being fired feels unlikely

While this explanation creates some hope that more changes could be coming for the Steelers, particularly with Canada’s role, it still doesn’t feel like a sure thing.

Canada’s peers have been highly complimentary of him. Even Ben Roethlisberger, who is noted to have had a contentious relationship with Canada, gave him a confusing vote of confidence at the end of the season.

One perspective that sits on Canada’s side is that, with a young quarterback like Kenny Pickett, continuity can be an important thing. If the Steelers value that for Pickett, maybe they justify keeping Canada around to steady his development.

On the flip side of that argument, if the Steelers expect to make a change in the coming years, now might be the best time to do it rather than later.

Ultimately, we should find out soon what Canada’s fate in Pittsburgh is one way or the other.