PITTSBURGH — The Steelers promoted quarterbacks coach Matt Canada to be the team’s offensive coordinator on Monday, the team announced.
Hired in 2019, Canada spent last season as the quarterbacks coach and worked on developing Mason Rudolph and the younger quarterbacks.
Canada interviewed for the position along with former Cleveland Browns head coach Hue Jackson and Los Angeles Chargers quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton. The Steelers announced that they were not renewing offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner’s contract after their season ended with a loss to the Browns in the wild-card round.
Canada was the favorite from the start of the interview process, and his promotion could make it easier for Ben Roethlisberger to return for the 2021 season. With a year left on his contract, the veteran quarterback has been considering his next steps since the Steelers’ playoff exit. Roethlisberger’s familiarity with Canada and his offensive preferences are an easier sell than coming back for a final season with a new offensive coordinator bringing in a new scheme.
Canada is known for offensive creativity, and wrinkles from him were prevalent early in the season with more pre-snap motion and misdirection, although those elements seemed to fade as the season progressed.
The Steelers also have quarterbacks Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins under contract next season. In addition to navigating the quarterback situation, Canada will be tasked with revitalizing the run game — something that will be helped by the hiring of a new offensive line coach.
Canada will not retain the role of quarterbacks coach with the Steelers, creating another opening on the offensive staff.
Before his year as the Steelers’ quarterbacks coach, Canada had spent his entire career in the college ranks, with stops as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at NC State, Pitt, Wisconsin, LSU and Maryland, among others.
The team also announced the hiring of tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts earlier Monday afternoon, replacing James Daniel, who retired last week.