Pittsburgh hires veteran coach Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced Saturday they’ve hired Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, bringing the 62-year-old Pittsburgh native back to his hometown team. McCarthy replaces Mike Tomlin, who resigned after 19 seasons leading the organization.
McCarthy becomes just the fourth head coach in Steelers franchise history since 1969 and is now the oldest head coach on the team’s roster. His hiring represents a significant departure from the organization’s traditional approach of hiring up-and-coming defensive minds without prior NFL head coaching experience.
A Veteran with Proven Track Record
McCarthy spent the 2025 season away from coaching after parting ways with the Dallas Cowboys. During his tenure in Dallas from 2020 to 2024, the team posted three 12-5 seasons before finishing 7-10 in his final year. His overall head coaching record spans 18 seasons across the Green Bay Packers (2006-2015) and the Cowboys, accumulating 185 wins—the sixth-most among all NFL coaches over the past 20 seasons.
The Packers coach won Super Bowl XLV following the 2010 season, giving him the championship pedigree the Steelers sought. His hiring signals team president Art Rooney II’s desire to compete immediately, rejecting what he called a potential “rebuild” and emphasizing a “win now” mentality.
Impact on Aaron Rodgers and the Offense
McCarthy’s arrival could influence whether veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains with the Steelers for the 2026 season. Rodgers, who served as McCarthy’s backup during his Green Bay years, has not yet committed to returning, and his contract status remains uncertain.
The hiring also signals a shift in offensive philosophy for Pittsburgh. The Steelers will employ their first offensive-minded head coach since before 1969. During McCarthy’s tenure in Dallas, the Cowboys featured a top-five scoring offense three times—a stark contrast to Pittsburgh, which hasn’t achieved that ranking since 2017.
Building the Coaching Staff
McCarthy faces the immediate task of assembling his coaching staff. Former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith departed for Ohio State to join Ryan Day’s coaching staff. Among potential candidates McCarthy is considering are Kliff Kingsbury, viewed as a head coaching candidate this offseason; Scott Van Pelt, who most recently served as a senior offensive assistant with the Los Angeles Rams; and Chase Tolzien, the New Orleans Saints’ quarterbacks coach under former Steelers coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
Mixed Reactions Around the League
While McCarthy’s hiring drew support for his experience and Pittsburgh connections, initial league reaction was cautiously optimistic. One NFL source expressed mild surprise, noting the organization was breaking from its traditional pattern of grooming young, emerging coaching talent. Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell criticized the hire, predicting a 4-13 record for the 2026 season on social media.
Despite the skepticism, McCarthy’s extensive playoff experience—11-11 record in postseason play—and his 11 seasons with double-digit wins since becoming a head coach in 2006 provide the organizational credentials the Steelers believe will end their playoff drought. The team hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016.
