Pat McAfee’s unique approach to dealing with the constant tension surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers has left JJ Watt in stitches.
Despite their 17-10 win over the division rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, pressure continues to mount on the Steelers to part ways with offensive coordinator Matt Canada.
With the third-fewest yards per game (268.2) in the NFL and the third-fewest points per game (15.8), fans across the city have been clamoring for change.
However, despite their offensive struggles and 3-2 record, McAfee noted on Wednesday that all hope is not lost.
“7-2 after the bye last year. They obviously had a magical run. They assume they will be able to do the same thing,” he said.
“I don’t know if Pittsburgh thinks so, especially since they keep chanting about firing the offensive coordinator everywhere in Pittsburgh.”
The former All-Pro player commented that he was told that he was at a dueling piano bar in the city where “they actually sang ‘Fire’ and then they serenaded the crowd with ‘Canada’ for two hours straight.”
Co-host Tone Digz added that churches in the area even sang about Canada’s departure.
“Today we pray to our Lord and Savior to do one thing and one thing only,” McAfee jokingly suggested a priest might have said, before singing: “Fire Canada” in church choir style — all of which left Watt’s head in his hands. He also laughed at the possibility.
Watt then had a question for Digz – though McAfee jokingly suggested asking “Digz his real thoughts though. Digz will do some fake thoughts here if you ask him a real question.”
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“Okay, Diggs, real ideas, please. I mean, don’t give me any of that stuff,” Watt said.
He continued to ask if Steelers fans were starting to feel for Canada, to which he quickly replied: “No. Absolutely not. This is the NFL. You get paid, and he gets paid, to be good at his job. He never once did that.” “It was good, not once.”
Fortunately for Steelers fans, they are now entering a bye week that Watt believes could be very valuable.
“One thing is, they’re on their bye week this week, so it’s the perfect time for self-exploration,” he explained.
“You’ve got defensive guys, you’ve got defensive coaches watching this offensive film, and you’re like, ‘Hey, what are our weaknesses?’ Where can we improve? Are we tipping plays? Are there plays we’re going to leave on the table?” What are the weak spots we should attack?
“This is the time of the week when those defensive coaches have the opportunity to go and watch that offensive tape and give some of that feedback to the offensive players.”
Pittsburgh’s offense and Matt Canada are set to return to the field on Sunday, October 22 when they face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
