Steelers’ Connor Heyward takes a subtle shot at Matt Canada while praising new offensive coordinator

Steelers’ Connor Heyward takes a subtle shot at Matt Canada while praising new offensive coordinator

Since hiring Andy Weidl, the Pittsburgh Steelers have placed an open and evident focus on dominating the line of scrimmage. However, they have not been able to triumph in the trenches as they had hoped recently. There was clearly a lot larger issue than just some external issues interfering with the organization’s intentions, and numerous players have already spoken out about it.

Aaron Becker questioned Connor Heyward in a locker room interview at Organized Team Activities (OTAs) if the Steelers would be more physical than they were in 2023. He responded with a quick “yes,” and then went on to describe the projected differences in physically between 2023 and 2024.

“Coach [Arthur] Smith has his big emphasis of bringing the force to [the opponents], and not having the defense dictate the line of scrimmage, and taking the fight to them. With the guys we have upfront, and in the tight end room with Darnell [Washington], MyCole [Pruitt], myself, Rodney [Williams] and Pat [Freiermuth], I think we can do that. When we get into all those different personnels, we’re going to use that to our strength. We’re very versatile in our room alone, but Isaac Seumalo, Broderick [Jones] upfront, [Nate] Herbig, and all the guys we drafted, we’ve definitely made that an emphasis, and we know how important it is to run the ball, because that’s going to open everything up. I think this year, we’re going to be able to untap a lot of potential.”

Over the last two offseasons, the Steelers have selected five different offensive lineman and signed two more in an attempt to replicate the impact of the Killer Bs offensive line. Winning in the trenches is critical for every team in any league, and the Steelers will find a way to win there. However, this new emphasis raises the question: where was this mentality before? The Steelers’ offensive line inconsistency, combined with Kenny Pickett’s disputed lack of pocket presence, resulted in pressure concerns in 2023. There was plenty of blame to go around, but everything pointed to one common denominator.

Steelers’ Recent Physicality Woes Point To The Obvious Answer

While the front office had a clear emphasis to win in the trenches, Matt Canada likely did not share those same core values. He worked as a lone wolf throughout his time in Pittsburgh, so it makes sense as to why he would not take Weidl’s vision into account. That mindset was a big reason as to why he was fired, and Mike Tomlin proved it when he split up the coordinator duties between two position coaches.

 

Arthur Smith’s core values seem to line up with the Steelers, and his time with the Tennessee Titans proves it, as well as Heyward’s comments. Unlike Canada, Smith knows that the offensive line has to be the focal point of the offense. The Steelers already run the same style of offense that Smith did in Tennessee, so there should be no major issue with scheme, especially with the offensive line and tight ends doing their job.

Heyward also mentions that they have some untapped potential, which might be realized in 2024. The tight end group has an excellent opportunity to showcase their abilities, as Smith was the Titans’ tight end coach before calling plays for the NFL’s #1 rushing offense at the time. The entire offense is projected to perform substantially better than it did in 2023, but the tight ends will have the best chance of reclaiming the promise that Canada attempted to eliminate.