Mike Tomlin 'optimistic' about what Matt Canada can do if given 2nd year as Steelers offensive coordinator

After having Ben Roethlisberger at quarterback for 18 seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers are ready to find his successor — whether it comes from inside or outside the organization.

Coach Mike Tomlin, though, doesn’t sound like he is ready to find someone new to call the plays the next quarterback will be running.

At his season-ending news conference Tuesday, Tomlin indicated Matt Canada likely will return for a second year as offensive coordinator despite the offense’s inability to score first-half touchdowns in the second half of the season.

“I’m optimistic about Matt and what he’s capable of doing,” Tomlin said.

Those capabilities didn’t translate into results in Canada’s first season as coordinator — and Roethlisberger’s final one running the offense.

The Steelers didn’t score an offensive touchdown in the first half in seven of their final eight games, including the 42-21 wild-card playoff loss Sunday night at Kansas City.

Canada was promoted from quarterbacks coach to replace Randy Fichtner, whose contract was not renewed after the offense averaged 26 points in 2020. Canada had no previous NFL experience, and in his first season, the Steelers averaged 20.2 points, ranking 21st in the league.

Although Canada had Roethlisberger under center, the offensive line featured four new starters, including two rookies. The Steelers also had rookie starters at running back and tight end.

“I acknowledge we took a step back,” Tomlin said. “There are some obvious tangible reasons why that occurred. I’m not going to seek comfort in that. We’ve got to be better. We intend to be. That is going to require a lot of planning and work for our coaches and players.”

The Steelers haven’t changed offensive coordinators after one year since Bill Cowher replaced Ray Sherman with Kevin Gilbride after the 1998 season.

“I’m just acknowledging that (Canada) brings things to the table that are attractive, and we need to be better,” Tomlin said. “And we will be.”

On the other side of the ball, Tomlin confirmed Keith Butler may retire after seven seasons as defensive coordinator. Butler, 65, presided over a defense that ranked No. 24 this year after finishing third in 2020.

“Butts has had conversations about this potentially being his last year,” Tomlin said.

The defense’s regression was largely attributed to an inability to stop the run. The Steelers had the worst run defense in the league, allowing an average of 146.1 yards per game. The Steelers didn’t have defensive end Stephon Tuitt for the entire season, and nose tackle Tyson Alualu was lost to a season-ending injury in the second game.

“We have to get better in that area,” Tomlin said. “You can talk about player availability or lack thereof. You can seek comfort. I don’t. We don’t. All we have is what’s on tape and our record. We need to be better. I’m not comfortable with what we did against the run. I don’t think any of us are. That needs to improve. It will improve.”

Tomlin said he’s not “anticipating” any changes to his coaching staff but admitted he wouldn’t be “surprised” by any, either.

“I understand change is a part of our business, and I don’t run away from it,” he said. “I’m not overly resistant to it. I don’t run to it as well. I don’t change for the sake of changing.”

But Tomlin will be changing quarterbacks next season once the 39-year-old Roethlisberger officially retires. Finding a successor will be the organization’s biggest decision of the offseason and training camp.

Mason Rudolph is under contract for one more year. Rudolph has 10 starts in four seasons with the Steelers, his only one in 2021 coming in the 16-16 tie against Detroit. Dwayne Haskins, a former first-round pick, started 13 games for Washington in the 2019-20 seasons but was active for just one game this season and didn’t get any snaps.

“Dwayne and Mason have had their moments,” Tomlin said. “They’ll have to prove that, and not only in the team development process, but through playing itself. They are guys that I would not characterize as everyday starters. They’ll be given an opportunity to establish themselves. There is going to be competition. There always is. They will write that story.”

Tomlin said the Steelers will weigh selecting a quarterback in the NFL Draft against the cost of signing one in free agency. It’s the first time during his tenure that Tomlin is charged with finding the organization’s next “franchise” quarterback.

“I’m excited about that challenge,” he said. “Those of us that are competitors are. It’s a tough challenge, man. It kind of makes you uneasy, but I’ve learned to run to those challenges. I’ve learned to appreciate those challenges, the uncertainty surrounding them is inspiring to me.”