The Steelers continue to wait on naming a new offensive coordinator to replace Randy Fichtner, and it is unclear if the reason is because they are looking at outside candidates or merely procedural matters that have to do with promoting quarterbacks coach Matt Canada.
A team source would only confirm to the Post-Gazette that Canada is “a candidate” for the position vacated when Fichtner was not rehired last week. Coaches and several offensive players have not been told if Canada, who turns 49 on Tuesday, will get the job, though the move would appear to be a logical one if the Steelers plan on Ben Roethlisberger returning for the 2021 season.
Canada would keep the offensive terminology the same, which would be important for Roethlisberger, who, at 39, would not have to learn an entirely new system.
However, if Canada is promoted to coordinator, it will be even more important for the Steelers to look outside and hire a veteran offensive line coach who is familiar with different blocking schemes and techniques. Assistant line coach Adrian Klemm has been coaching in the NFL for just two seasons, both under Shaun Sarrett, who also was not retained.
The Steelers are expected to have several changes along the offensive line in 2021 that begin with not re-signing veteran left tackle Alejandro Villanueva. They cannot continue to employ the same drop-set techniques after ranking 29th in 2019 and last in the league in 2020 in rush offense.
Roster moves
Four days after the Steelers signed 13 practice squad players to reserve/futures contracts to keep them on the offseason roster, they let the contracts of four others expire: quarterback Devlin "Duck" Hodges, who started six games last season as an undrafted rookie; running back Wendell Smallwood; wide receiver Deon Cain; tight end Charles Jones; and kicker Matthew Wright, who was perfect on field goals and extra points in place of Chris Boswell in three games this past season.
Staff writer Brian Batko contributed to this report. Gerry Dulac: gdulac@post-gazette.com and Twitter @gerrydulac.
First Published: January 18, 2021, 9:04 p.m.
