Mark Madden: Matt Canada deserves blame for Steelers’ struggles, but it doesn’t stop there

Fire Matt Canada. That’s the most widely held solution to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ problems.

It’s not an unreasonable opinion.

Canada never should have been promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. But Canada was already in the building and works cheap. (Like all Steelers assistants, at least in comparison to other teams.)

Mike Tomlin hired Canada. Tomlin promoted Canada. Tomlin keeps bringing back Canada. Tomlin oversees and approves what Canada does.

Don’t overlook Tomlin’s role in Canada’s story arc.

Stats provide horrific evidence against Canada.

With Canada as offensive coordinator, the Steelers have failed to top 20 points in 23 of 36 games. (Twenty-five times if you exclude overtime.)

Canada’s offense has never topped 400 yards in a game. They’re the only NFL team to have that dubious distinction during Canada’s tenure.

Tomlin wants ball control and close games. He doesn’t believe in score more and faster, the NFL’s current doctrine. That figures in.

The offense is desperately unimaginative and retreats to simplicity at the slightest provocation.

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So, Canada is a problem.

But Canada didn’t make Kenny Pickett scattershot inaccurate Sunday.

Canada didn’t make the “elite” defense get folded, spindled and mutilated.

Canada isn’t why the Steelers have a bunch of backup-level talents starting, not least at inside linebacker and defensive back.

Canada didn’t make the Steelers come out flat, and again at the start of the second half.

Canada isn’t why Cameron Heyward and Diontae Johnson got hurt.

Canada is a problem, but one of many.

Canada doesn’t oversee the whole mess. Tomlin does.

Firing Canada midseason would only elevate the quarterbacks coach, Mike Sullivan. Canada used to be the quarterbacks coach, too. So was his predecessor as offensive coordinator, Randy Fichtner.

Do whatever’s easiest. It’s a disturbing pattern.

Those were Tomlin decisions. Tomlin hires subpar coaches because they’re inexpensive, they’re not difficult to get, they bow at his altar and he doesn’t want anyone who might be smarter than him. He wouldn’t employ an offensive guru with a big reputation.

Tomlin has no coaching tree. It’s three years later, and Fichtner still doesn’t have another job.

Canada deserves his share of blame.

He just doesn’t deserve all of it. Tomlin deserves more.

But you’re predisposed to hate and blame Canada. Not Coach T or the golden boy quarterback.

Did you know Tomlin has never had a losing season? Did you know Pickett went to Pitt?