The Pittsburgh Steelers stunned the NFL world when they agreed to hire former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy to be their new head coach. This is a pivotal moment for McCarthy, who's a Pittsburgh native and grew up a Steelers fan. Being able to coach your hometown and childhood favorite team is an exciting opportunity for anyone. While this has the potential for a storybook ending, not everyone is as optimistic about the McCarthy hire.
Joe Sargent / Getty Images
Steelers new Head Coach Mike McCarthy on the sidelines during his head coaching tenure for the Green Bay Packers
McCarthy is a proven NFL head coach, with a .608 winning percentage over 18 seasons and a Super Bowl victory with the Packers. Despite this, many Steelers fans wanted a younger option after parting ways with long-time Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin was the definition of consistency over his 19 seasons with the Steelers. Over that time, Tomlin never had a losing season; his Steelers teams were always competitive.
However, Tomlin faltered in the playoffs during the latter part of his tenure with the Steelers, going 0-for-7 in his last seven playoff games. There are doubts that McCarthy can change the Steelers' playoff fortune, including from former Steelers star running back Le'Veon Bell.
"4-13 incoming .. but hey, at least Mike Tomlin isn’t the coach of the Steelers anymore right," the former running back posted on X.
While Bell's tweet comes across as a bit harsh, it reflects a sentiment many Steelers fans share. When the Steelers and Tomlin parted ways, many Steelers fans assumed that this would trigger a rebuild.
After 19 straight winning seasons under Tomlin, for the Steelers to start over, it would not be with Tomlin; it would come from a younger coach. McCarthy, however, has many similarities to Tomlin. They are two head coaches with great regular season records, but have been criticized for their inability to get over the playoff hump, particularly recently. One thing is clear: the Steelers aren't trying to rebuild; they want to win, and they want to win now.
Erin Hooley / Associated Press
Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks shocked as he speaks with the media after a loss in the 2025 season.
Another complete unknown for the 2026 Steelers is the quarterback position. The Steelers relied on the 42-year-old future Hall of Fame inn Rodgers in 2025, and he performed well. Without Rodgers and his 24 touchdowns to just seven interceptions, the Steelers probably don't win the AFC North.
Due to Rodgers' close relationship with Tomlin, it was likely that Rodgers would go elsewhere or simply retire. However, McCarthy and Rodgers have a great relationship, including a Super Bowl victory with McCarthy as Rodgers' coach on the Packers.
While Rodgers isn't in his prime form, he showed in 2025 with the Steelers that he's still very capable of playing quarterback at a high level. If not Rodgers, the Steelers could very well turn to former sixth-round draft pick, Will Howard, whom many within the organization are high on.
Steelers Hire McCarthy Without An In-Person Interview With Chris Shula
Throughout the Steelers' head coach hiring process, Los Angeles Rams Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula was the frontrunner for the position. Shula, grandson of legendary NFL coach Don Shula, is widely known as one of the bright young minds in the NFL.
What complicated the Steelers' pursuit of Chris Shula, however, was that the Rams remained in the playoffs, playing the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. The Steelers opted not to wait for the Rams' season to end and were impressed enough with McCarthy to hire him without any further considerations regarding the Rams' assistant.
Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images
Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium.
The one thing that can shut all the haters down is winning. Win, especially in the playoffs, and McCarthy will instantly become beloved in Pittsburgh. After all, someone who grew up in Pittsburgh and is a lifelong Steelers fan like McCarthy is the perfect person for the city rally around. No matter how you feel about the McCarthy hire, there's no turning back now.
#SteelerNation