The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the middle of a franchise-altering coaching search after former head coach Mike Tomlin decided to step down following the 2025 season. Many fans expect the organization to go with the typical route that the franchise takes when it hires a new head coach. That route is usually a young, defensive-minded leader that can be considered a great motivator as well. Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula fits that mold, but the organization is also looking elsewhere. A surprising name that has been considered has been Mike McCarthy.
AP photo
Mike McCarthy returns to Green Bay for a home game.
McCarthy is the complete opposite of what the Steelers usually look for as the former head coach is 62 years old and an offensive-minded figure. Many fans were not happy to find out that the two sides are interested in one another. The fan base is fine with the coach being offensive-minded, but a younger, innovative mind would be ideal. Team insider Mark Kaboly recently published an article on X where he discussed why the organization is seriously considering McCarthy as an option.
"Meanwhile, McCarthy is in his 60s, has coached for 18 years, and is an offensive-minded coach with a reputation for developing quarterbacks wherever he goes," Kaboly wrote. "And there, my friends, is the reason why McCarthy is being viewed as a top choice of the Steelers a little more than a week into their head-coaching search. That’s not conjecture. Those are facts, and that’s one of the thoughts coming out of 3400 S. Water Street as part of this process of finding a new head coach."
Kaboly highlights McCarthy's ability to develop a quarterback as the main reason behind the organization's interest. He has developed quarterbacks in the past as he coached Aaron Rodgers from 2006 through 2018. However, Rodgers sat behind Favre and was given several years to learn the ropes before being thrust into the starting role. His success is not completely derived from tutelage from McCarthy.
Smiley N. Pool / Dallas Morning News
Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hugs his old head coach, Mike McCarthy, after their team won a big professional football contest.
There was talk about Pittsburgh being interested in bringing McCarthy back into coaching as an attempt to get Rodgers to return as the team's quarterback, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The reasoning is quarterback-related, but it is more about developing some young talent and figuring out the position for the franchise moving forward. There was also thoughts that Pittsburgh's interest in McCarthy was phony, and it was just an attempt for the former head coach to spark some fires about him potentially coming back to the NFL.
It is good to know that the Steelers are prioritizing developing a quarterback, but there are other ways to go about it. A young offensive-minded head coach is an option, and aside from Rodgers, McCarthy hasn't done much when it comes to developing young passers. He fell into Dak Prescott when he took over as head coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
Rodgers played well under McCarthy, and the coach definitely played a role in that. However, the quarterback is one of the most talented players to ever play the position.
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Mike McCarthy coaching on the sidelines as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys during an away game.
Steelers Believe Mike McCarthy Is A Strong Candidate To Be Pittsburgh's Head Coach
Kaboly reiterated in his article that he was not assuming that McCarthy is being considered due to his ability to develop a quarterback. He intentionally said that he was getting it right from the team's facility, and he also said that McCarthy is viewed as the team's top choice. This can change as the search has only been going on for a little over a week, but much of the fan base is not going to be too excited to hear that McCarthy being the next head coach in Pittsburgh is a strong possibility.
What do you think about the organization's reasoning to hire McCarthy? Let us know in the comments below!
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