Steelers New West Coast Offense Could Mean Departure Of Fan Favorite

Pittsburgh Steelers fans have officially entered the Mike McCarthy era. The long-time former coach of the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers will now coach his hometown team. The Steelers are a franchise in desperate need of a jolt. While Mike Tomlin led for almost two decades without a losing season, they faltered in the playoffs as of late, going 0 for 7 in their past 7 playoff games. 

For a team with the Steelers' history, that will not fly in Pittsburgh. McCarthy, growing up in Pittsburgh as a die-hard Steelers fan, knows the expectations he has to live up to. The Steelers' offense is destined to look much different from the one it did under former Steelers offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, and McCarthy is a proponent of the West Coast offense. As a result, he's a big fan of three-receiver sets. McCarthy's offense has a track record of success, both with the Packers under quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and with the Cowboys. 

Rodgers and McCarthy clicked with the Packers with the two combining for a Super Bowl victory together. If Rodgers is the quarterback under McCarthy once again in 2026, expect an air raid style offense similar to what the Packers ran in Green Bay, with Rodgers spraying the ball around to multiple receivers all over the field.

The new style of offense means that some Steelers players will be phased out of the offense, however -- ones who had prominent roles under Tomlin. Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo went on the North Shore Drive Podcast recently and expressed an uncertain future regarding Steelers up-and-coming tight end, Darnell Washington. 

"To me, the big unknown is Darnell Washington," Fittipaldo began. "I think Mike [McCarthy] is going to want to use him in the run game, but if you just look at his usage of tight ends, both in Green Bay and Dallas, he never ever had two tight ends among his top five in targets or yards in any of those seasons."

Washington’s future with the Steelers will largely depend on the manner in which McCarthy chooses to use him. He’s shown the ability to be a dominating force, with athleticism that is elite in a league of elite athletes. However, McCarthy hasn’t been fond of two tight end sets unlike the Arthur Smith offense of old. While these answers will all be clear in due time, this an interesting perspective on the Steelers' offense under McCarthy. 

Part of the issue with finding Washington playing time is Steelers starting tight end Pat Freiermuth. Freiermuth, who had an underwhelming 2025 season, is still firmly the Steelers' starting tight end and has shown the versatility of being an elite pass catcher, and solid run blocker. 

With the West Coast offense, the Steelers will often have three receivers on the field. McCarthy is likely to revamp the skill position players this offseason, and he’ll have some tough decisions to make throughout the process.

Steelers Must Utilize Darnell Washington Often In 2026

Washington is still just 24 years old and has all the potential in the world. He has already shown great development in just a few seasons. He can be a major part of both the Steelers' long-term future, and short term success, but will need reps in order for this to become a reality. 

It will be up to McCarthy to find a way to keep Washington involved while also running the offense that he’s envisioned for the Steelers. If not, Washington’s days in Pittsburgh may be numbered.

The Steelers are heading in a new direction, and just like with the coaching staff will be some players who aren’t along for the ride. McCarthy will have some tough decisions to make, but it will be the Steelers' success as the priority over any individual player.

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