The Pittsburgh Steelers are stuck with Matt Canada. As amusing as the 'Fire Canada' signs at seemingly every sporting event are, Canada is not going anywhere until after the season. Mike Tomlin is loyal to his assistants -- sometimes to a fault -- meaning that while Canada's play-calling duties could be stripped, his fingerprints will still be all over this offseason.
Now, I should note it's unlikely the Steelers make a major move at the NFL trade deadline unless they believe they are merely one deal away from a Super Bowl. For Omar Khan to believe this would be a fallacy. This Steelers team is a good story, but they still must develop a true offensive identity, and their high-priced defense has some holes when it comes to stopping the run and secondary depth.
So, what's to be done? If Khan wanted to, there are legitimately talented players available at the deadline who could help make up for some of Canada's inefficiencies, even if at least one plays on the opposite side of the ball.
Steelers could trade for Kirk Cousins or Justin Fields
The NFC North is a trash heap. Kirk Cousins is likely to leave after this season, and the Minnesota Vikings are doing little to convince him to stay. That hasn't stopped Cousins from putting up respectable numbers offensively, even without Justin Jefferson.
Pittsburgh will not make this trade, as they believe in continuity, especially at such an important position. They would also be admitting defeat on Kenny Pickett, or at the very least stunting his development. But if the Steelers really wanted to make this offense look competitive, Cousins would do just that.
Fields, meanwhile, is a different story. The currently-injured Bears quarterback hasn't looked great in Chicago this year. His flashes of brilliance and potential at the end of the 2022 league year feel like a lieftime ago. If the Steelers could acquire Fields for relatively cheap -- a big if -- and allow him to develop in Canada's scheme, it might be a decent fit. Canada prefers mobile quarterbacks, and preaches motion in his offense. What's not to get?
Steelers could use some help at tight end
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth has missed the last few games, and while his return could be imminent, it speaks to just how badly this team needs depth at the position. Perhaps this is a smaller move than upgrading Canada's system with a new QB, but it's also a far more realistic trade.
Darnell Washington has the chance to be something special, but he hasn't provided much in the receiving game. Bleacher Report's Joe Tansey listed several potential options last week, including Mike Gesicki of the New England Patriots and Austin Hooper of the Las Vegas Raiders. Either would be serviceable and would give a young quarterback like Pickett another outlet, which he desperately needs playing behind this offensive line.
Pickett is not going anywhere, at least not for another year. He's fresh off another impressive fourth-quarter comeback against the Los Angeles Rams. Why not provide him with another big body to help improve the passing attack?
Steelers need another big name in the secondary
It's no secret that the Steelers need help in the secondary. Pittsburgh's top-3 cornerbacks are Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace and rookie Joey Porter Jr. The first two are well past their respective primes, while JPJ is still learning at the NFL level. Porter, Jr. could use some help on his tackling technique, as well.
Just a few short years ago, Pittsburgh took a big in-season swing when they acquired Minkah Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins. That decision has worked out in their favor thanks to then-GM Kevin Colbert. Could Jaylon Johnson of the Bears provide the same? Johnson knows he could be on the block soon.
"I'm not oblivious, I'm not blind, and I'm not exempt at the end of the day," Johnson said Monday on 670 The Score. "When you trade Roquan away, when you trade Robert Quinn away, man, you can trade anybody away. So, I mean, I'm definitely not exempt. I know what's going on. I know what is to be figured out and different things like that. At the end of the day, the Bears got to do what's best for them, and I got to do what's best for me. Whatever happens with that happens. I'm not forcing anything. Like I've been saying from day one, I want to stay here. This is my first team, my home, I bought a house here, everything. All my plans were to stay in Chicago."
Johnson has been one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL this season. Were the Bears competitive, he would not be on the block. Ryan Poles is hunting for more draft picks, and it would be wise of Pittsburgh to make the call.
