Top 7 candidates to replace Matt Canada in 2023

Rumors are swirling again that the Steelers will replace Matt Canada after this season.  We have been pushing for this move all year.  It’s time for the Steelers to move on from Matt Canada  

Pittsburgh’s offense has shown signs of improvement since the bye, but they continue to struggle scoring points. If the Steelers do decide to move on, here are seven possible candidates to be this team’s offensive coordinator in 2023:

1.  Frank Reich:

Reich was relieved of his coaching duties earlier this season in Indianapolis.  The Colts struggled under Reich, but in his defense the team never was able to solve their quarterback problem.  The endless stream of washed up veterans like Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan ultimately was his undoing.

Reich was largely credited with the success of the Eagles offense that won the Super Bowl in 2017.  After his departure, the Eagles offense fell apart leading to the firing of Doug Pederson.   Reich is a veteran NFL coach who got the most out of Carson Wentz, and Nick Foles during his time in Philadelphia. The Steelers could do a lot worse with their offensive coordinator position.

2.  Duce Staley:

Duce Staley is currently the assistant head coach/running backs coach for the Detroit Lions.  He is part of an extremely successful Lions offense this season.  The bread crumbs linking him to the Steelers are fairly obvious.  Besides playing in Pittsburgh between 2004 and 2006, he was also a member of the Eagles coaching staff for 10 seasons.  Most of which he worked under then assistant general manager Andy Weidl.  This is a name to keep an eye on if the Steelers make a move at OC.

3.  Mark Whipple:

We’d be ignoring the obvious if we did not include Kenny Pickett’s college offensive coordinator during his time at Pitt.  Pickett enjoyed incredible success under Whipple, and certainly would welcome his former coach back.  The Steelers have a good degree of familiarity with Whipple as well.  He coached quarterbacks for the team between 2004 and 2006, as well as belong the OC for three seasons right next door.  This is a name we simply can not rule out to replace Matt Canada for next season.

4.  Thomas Brown:

Thomas Brown is a very highly regarded coach in the league.  He is currently the assistant head coach/tight end coach for the Los Angeles Rams.  We all know how coveted Sean McVay prodigies are in this league.  Names like Zac Taylor, Matt LaFluer, and Brandon Staley have already gone on to head coaching positions.  The Steelers offense could certainly use a little of that McVay magic here in Pittsburgh.

5.  Shane Day:

We couldn’t complete this list without at least one Kyle Shanahan disciple.  Shane day is currently the Los Angeles Chargers passing game coordinator/QB coach.  Hard to argue the job he has done bringing along Justin Herbert.  The Chargers offense is third overall in passing yards per game this season. Of course we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention his time as quarterbacks coach in San Francisco.  The Steelers could really use an updated offensive scheme the likes of which the Rams, 49ers, and now the Chargers employ.

6.  Todd Monken:

Todd Monken is the offensive coordinator for the defending champion Georgia Bulldogs.  He has the Georgia offense humming again this season as they make their push for a second straight national title.  Monken has NFL experience at offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016-2018), and a very forgettable year during the Freddie Kitchens circus in Cleveland 2019.  This is an experienced offensive coach who is killing it at the college ranks right now.  Monken would be a welcomed addition in Pittsburgh. 

7.  Byron Leftwich:

They say timing is everything in life.  This past off-season, Byron Leftwich was among the hottest head coaching candidates in the league.  He turned down the opportunity to take the Jacksonville Jaguars job reportedly due to issues with Jacksonville GM Trent Baalke.

The Buccaneers offense has struggled mightily in it’s first season without Bruce Arians at the helm.  Most of the blame is now being pointed at Leftwich’s play calling.  Fair or not, his once rising star has taken a serious hit this season.

There is very real possibility that head coach Todd Bowles could be fired after the season, and his entire coaching staff with him.  This would put Byron Leftwich very much in play for the Steelers OC job. Mike Tomlin is very familiar with Leftwich from his playing days in Pittsburgh.  If Leftwich is unable to get another crack at a head coaching  job this off-season, keep an eye on him as a strong candidate to replace Matt Canada in 2023.