After firing Matt Canada, Mike Tomlin only focused on short-term results with QB Kenny Pickett

Mike Tomlin changed his offensive coordinator Tuesday. He has no plans to also make a switch at quarterback.

Despite Kenny Pickett coming off one of his worst games statistically in his two-year career, he will remain the Steelers starter, Tomlin said at his weekly news conference.

Asked why he remains confident in Pickett, who had only 106 yards passing in the Steelers’ 13-10 loss Sunday to the Cleveland Browns, Tomlin talked about the second-year passer’s work ethic.

“I work with him every day,” Tomlin said. “I’ve been really transparent about him, his willingness to work and my experience and what that tells me. This guy will do any and everything. He works extremely hard.

“I just saw him a few minutes ago in the building (on the players’ day off), and if there is such thing as football justice, man, those guys usually get what they’re looking for. That’s why I remain consistently optimistic about the trajectory of his growth and development.”

Tomlin, though, said when he decided to relieve Canada of his duties, it was not with Pickett’s long-term future in mind.

“I’m focused on this week in terms of the development of Kenny,” he said. “We’re not urinating on the fire. We’re getting ready to play a football game and win this week. That is the only agenda here.

“It is not big picture and 2024 and all of that. This organization is not wired like that.”

Pickett is two years into his rookie contract, and the Steelers must decide after next season whether to exercise the fifth-year option on that deal.

Tomlin, though, said he isn’t looking beyond the Week 12 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. At 6-4, the Steelers occupy third place in the AFC North and face the only team below them in the division standings in the 5-5 Bengals.

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“You make decisions like this with one purpose and one purpose alone: better results,” Tomlin said.

In the Steelers’ loss to the Browns, Pickett completed 15 of 28 passes without a touchdown or interception. He was sacked three times and finished with a 62.5 passer rating.

The yardage total was the fewest in any game Pickett started and completed since becoming the Steelers’ starter a month into last season. The passer rating was the second lowest of his career.

Although Pickett hasn’t thrown an interception in the past six games, he also has just two touchdown passes in that span.

Pickett ranks No. 25 among 33 eligible quarterbacks with 1,722 passing yards. His 6.1 yards per completion ranks No. 29, and his six touchdown passes are No. 28.

Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner was named Canada’s replacement as offensive coordinator, but Tomlin gave play-calling responsibilities to quarterback coach Mike Sullivan.

“He works closely with Kenny, and we’re looking for fluidity in that area and some cohesion there and really getting a feel for what he does well,” Tomlin said. “Hopefully, that aids us.”