A former player for the Pittsburgh Steelers who helped the team win a Super Bowl in 2008 and was a key part of another team’s recent championship is reportedly interested in replacing embattled coordinator Matt Canada.
The Pittsburgh Steelers head into a tough Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams with a major problem. Over the first five weeks of the NFL season, the team’s offense has struggled mightily. Despite quarterback Kenny Pickett getting his feet wet during his rookie season last year, the unit has seemingly regressed with two instances of scoring in the single digits in a pair of losses being a couple of examples.
Related: Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada reportedly on hot seat in Week 5
While the players on offense have not performed to the level they need to, many fans have put the blame for the unit’s results this season on offensive coordinator Matt Canada. He is in his third year with the team and Pittsburgh supporters have been publicly calling for his head since Week 2. However, head coach Mike Tomlin has backed his coordinator publicly and seems hesitant to make an in-season change.
Well, it seems a player he once coached, and who has joined the coaching ranks in recent years, is interested in the position if Tomlin were to decide to fire Canada in the coming weeks.
Bryon Leftwich making overtures to land Pittsburgh Steelers OC job
During an appearance on “The Fan Morning Show” earlier this week, The Athletic Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly claimed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich “made some inquiries [about the job], and the Steelers are ignoring it.” He also claimed the inquiries were “very recent.”
Related: Pittsburgh Steelers fans again let Matt Canada know how much they hate him during NFL Week 5
While the team is “ignoring it” that doesn’t mean they won’t start listening eventually if the offense continues to play like they have in recent weeks. The Steelers offense is currently third-to-last in the NFL in total yards and points.
Leftwich played for the franchise in three seasons, including as the backup QB during their championship year in 2008. He also served as the offensive coordinator for the Bucs for four seasons and helped them win their most recent Super Bowl title in 2020. He was fired from the role in January before QB legend Tom Brady retired from the league.