Steelers promote QB coach Canada to offensive coordinator

Pittsburgh Steelers didn't look very far to find a new offensive coordinator, promoting quarterbacks coach Matt Canada to position on Monday to replace Randy Fichtner.

Steelers opted t to renew Fichtner's contract following a first-round playoff loss to Cleveland. Pittsburgh will w turn to Canada — hired a year ago to help develop a relationship with Ben Roethlisberger and mentor young backups Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs — to inject some life into an offense that sputtered down stretch. Steelers lost five of ir final six games following an 11-0 start and finished last in NFL in both yards rushing and yards per carry.

Fixing running game during offseason is a priority, but it's just one of many Canada will face in his first year on job.

Roethlisberger remains under contract for 2021 season, but has seen familiar faces leave in recent weeks. Fichtner was let go earlier this month and tight end and good friend Vance McDonald anunced his retirement last Friday. Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and running back James Conner are free nts and team is still searching for an offensive line coach to replace Shaun Sarrett, whose contract was t renewed.

Canada is hardly an unkwn quantity in Pittsburgh. He served as offensive coordinator for Pittsburgh Panrs — who share a training facility with Steelers — in 2016, overseeing a dynamic attack that led to him being a finalist for Broyles Award as nation's top assistant.

LSU was so impressed it offered him same title and a massive pay raise to come to Baton Rouge. Canada's stay in Bayou lasted just one season. He quickly moved on to become offensive coordinator at Maryland and found himself thrust into role of interim coach in 2018 when D.J. Durkin was suspended and ultimately fired in aftermath of death of offensive lineman Jordan McNair. Canada led Terrapins to a 5-7 record while directing an offense that put up more than 30 points seven times, including 51 in an overtime loss to eventual Big Ten champion Ohio State.

Canada's promotion gives Pittsburgh some continuity and could play a role in wher Roethlisberger — who has a salary cap hit of more than $41 million for 2021 — returns. two appeared to generate a solid rapport in ir one season toger. Roethlisberger and Canada could be seen working toger on Wednesdays on fundamentals such as footwork.

Canada's promotion was second vacancy filled by Steelers on Monday. Earlier in day, club hired longtime NFL assistant Alfredo Roberts as its new tight ends coach.

Roberts replaces James Daniel, who retired earlier this month after 17 seasons with Steelers and 27 overall in NFL.

Pittsburgh is sixth NFL stop for Roberts. He spent past four seasons with Los Angeles Chargers, serving as running backs coach from 2017-19 before sliding over to tight ends coach this past season. Roberts previously coached for Jacksonville, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Tampa Bay.

Roberts played six seasons in NFL from 1988-93, catching 48 passes for 450 yards and two touchdowns in his career with Kansas City and Dallas. He won a pair Super Bowl with Cowboys in 1992 and 1993 seasons before going into coaching.

Im credits: AP