The Pittsburgh Steelers have announced the hiring of Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, a move that signals both continuity and change for one of the NFL’s most stable franchises. McCarthy succeeds Mike Tomlin and becomes only the fourth head coach in Steelers history since Chuck Noll was hired in 1969. His arrival marks a notable shift in philosophy for Pittsburgh, a team traditionally committed to younger, defensive-minded first-time head coaches.
A Pittsburgh native, the 62-year-old McCarthy returns home after taking the 2025 season off. Prior to that, he spent five seasons leading the Dallas Cowboys and enjoyed a highly successful 13-year run as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. That tenure included a Super Bowl XLV victory, which came against the Steelers, and established McCarthy as one of the most accomplished offensive coaches of his generation.
Proven Playoff Success, Quarterback Development, and Aaron Rodgers Connection Shape McCarthy’s Resume
Across 18 seasons as an NFL head coach, McCarthy has posted a 174 112 2 regular season record and an 11 11 mark in the postseason. His teams reached the playoffs 12 times, including eight straight appearances from 2009 through 2016. As a former offensive coordinator, McCarthy earned a strong reputation for quarterback development. Under his guidance, Aaron Rodgers won a Super Bowl MVP award and two league MVPs, while Dak Prescott enjoyed arguably the best season of his career in 2023, leading the NFL with 36 touchdown passes.
Mike McCarthy (NFL)McCarthy’s history with Rodgers adds intrigue to the Steelers’ future. The 42-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback spent the 2025 season in Pittsburgh and helped the team extend its NFL record to 22 consecutive non-losing seasons. The organization is reportedly open to Rodgers returning if he chooses to play a 22nd season, which could provide short-term stability at the game’s most important position.
Succeeding Tomlin Amid Playoff Drought, Roster Transition, and Unresolved Quarterback Questions Ahead
McCarthy follows in the footsteps of Mike Tomlin, who stepped down after a wild-card loss to the Houston Texans. Tomlin’s 19-year tenure included a Super Bowl championship, another Super Bowl appearance, 13 playoff trips, eight AFC North titles, and no losing seasons. Filling that void will not be easy.
The Steelers are coming off three straight 10 7 seasons, their first division title since 2020, and a frustrating nine-year playoff win drought. Their roster features aging stars such as T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey, and Cameron Heyward, alongside promising young talent including Zach Frazier, Mason McCormick, and Derrick Harmon. Despite those pieces, quarterback remains the franchise’s biggest long-term question as McCarthy begins his tenure with the challenge of pushing Pittsburgh back into true championship contention.
