Latest Steelers Moves Prove Organization Is Headed In A Different Direction

The Pittsburgh Steelers chose the easy, safe option and are set to hire Mike McCarthy as the team's next head coach. McCarthy, who is 62, didn't coach in 2025 after being fired by the Dallas Cowboys. While McCarthy was successful in Dallas, he managed only one playoff win, which was one more than Mike Tomlin over the last nine seasons. The Steelers chose McCarthy's experience over taking a risk on younger options like the Los Angeles Rams' Defensive Coordinator Chris Shula or passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase.

The Steelers have made moves in the last few seasons that they typically wouldn't. The McCarthy hiring, for example, is very unusual. All three of the previous head coaches were young defensive assistants in their early 30s. Now, the organization is hiring an offensive guy, which is excellent, but he's 62 and hasn't had success in a while. 

The Steelers won't get the longevity with McCarthy that they had with Tomlin, Bill Cowher, and Chuck Noll. McCarthy is only six years younger than Cowher, who retired in 2006. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk made an interesting yet simple statement regarding the Steelers. 

"The Steelers have changed their ways." Florio stated

Fans have been begging for the Steelers to change how they do things, and they have, right in front of their eyes. Trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf and instantly making him the team's highest-paid player. The team moved on from Minkah Fitzpatrick in the 2025 offseason due to performance issues. The team traded Fitzpatrick and a fifth-round pick for Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith, and a seventh-round pick. 

That move has been brought in question. Ramsey performed arguably worse than Fitzpatrick, while Smith was a huge driver killer for the Steelers. However, the team's most surprising move was waiting for Aaron Rodgers to decide not only whether he wanted to play football again, but also whether he wanted to play for the Steelers. While Rodgers ended up playing for the Steelers, it cost them a chance at perhaps Sam Darnold, who is now playing in the NFC Championship.

Steelers Fans Are Getting What They Wished For

As mentioned earlier, Steelers fans have begged for change for a long time now; to move on from Tomlin, prioritize offense, and make roster changes. The Steelers have done all of those things. Tomlin is gone, McCarthy is an offensive head coach, the team traded for Metcalf, and it also moved on from Fitzpatrick. There was no guarantee that the change would be for the better. The Steelers are now living that reality. 

Owner Art Rooney II has proved that he is no Dan Rooney. Dan hired Noll, Cowher, and Tomlin, and made the necessary changes the organization needed to adapt to the new age. Art's first hire on his own is a 62-year-old who has almost identical numbers to Tomlin. While McCarthy has yet to coach in his first season with the Steelers, he hasn't even hired a staff. There is little reason for optimism from the Steelers and their ownership.

General Manager Omar Khan is also to blame. While Khan has drafted okay, he is likely the reason for McCarthy's hiring. Khan and assistant general manager Andy Weidl were with McCarthy at a time as members of the New Orleans Saints' organization. 

They have connections to McCarthy and were likely able to convince Rooney that he is the guy. McCarthy ensures the Steelers don't bottom out and have a losing season, which, arguably, they may need. Time will tell whether the move pays off, but it certainly doesn't inspire optimism right off the bat. 

What do you think? Is McCarthy the right hire? Are the Steelers moving in the right direction as a franchise? Let us know in the comments below!

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