The Pittsburgh Steelers' coaching staff led by Mike Tomlin came under fire for the team's lackluster performance in their playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Specifically, offensive coordinator Matt Canada, who has drawn the ire of fans already this season, took a fair amount of heat both inside and outside the organization. Tomlin spoke to reporters on Tuesday and seemed to endorse Canada, though he made a harsh admission about retired quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in the process. Here are Tomlin's words via SteelersWire of USA Today.
“I’m optimistic about Matt and what he’s capable of doing,” Tomlin said. “I acknowledge that we took a step back.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that the Matt Canada-led offense took a step back from the one run by former play caller Randy Fichtner.
However, while noting that the results will need to be better next year, Tomlin said he's optimistic in Canada, seemingly endorsing the offensive coordinator's job status heading into the offseason, something that is sure to rile up the Pittsburgh fanbase.
However, Tomlin went on to speak about the issues that the Steelers offense had, making an interesting comment about Pittsburgh's personnel, mainly QB Ben Roethlisberger.
“When you’ve got red paint, you paint your barn red,” Tomlin waxed.
That sure sounds like the Steelers head coach is saying that Canada was being held back as a play-caller by Roethlisberger's ability, or lack thereof, this season. If so, that is quite the statement from Tomlin.
It's well known that Ben Roethlisberger, 39, was past his prime heading into this season. But for Mike Tomlin to seemingly put all, or most, of his eggs in Matt Canada's basket and not the Steelers' legendary quarterback, is an interesting move.
Tomlin will have to hope that Canada does better with a new QB situation.
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