The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through a very unfamiliar time. Mike Tomlin has officially left the team, and the new head coach, Mike McCarthy, has been hired to try and steer this team out of mediocrity. He and Tomlin are obviously very different coaches with somewhat opposing philosophies, so the players will have plenty of new ideas to get used to. This will be a very pivotal offseason for Pittsburgh.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' new head coach, Mike McCarthy smiles as he addresses the media during his introductory press conference that took place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.
While making an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, McCarthy explained exactly how he plans to keep the communication intact while still implementing his system.
"On offense, I end up keeping more of the terminology and language of the past, because I am conscientious," McCarthy said. "You don't want to make it totally brand new if you don't have to. On defense, that system's been there since 1992. Bill Cowher and Dom Capers put it in. Dom worked for us in Green Bay, so we're very familiar; we had guys that played in that system, coaching that system, so we don't want to tear it all down and call 'yellow' blue, when it's been yellow since 1992. At the end of the day, it's about communication and connection."
The Steelers have been plagued with miscommunication issues in the past, so it's at least good that they won't have to learn a whole new language on the fly. That is a great start, but the question then turns to how this new coaching staff conveys it to the team and how the players respond to it. That was the main issue in the past, but that may not be a problem thanks to one key detail with this new group of coaches.
Jim Matthews / USA Today Network
Steelers coaches Mike McCarthy and James Campen talk during their time working in Green Bay.
The primary issue with Tomlin's communication was that it was way too complicated, as numerous players have pointed out in recent years. New defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham has developed a reputation for building his scheme around what the players prefer. If they want a simplified gameplan as much as they've said in recent seasons, then Graham will hopefully make it happen. Communication should be top notch now with the players getting exactly what they want.
On the flip side, the offense was too concise and too simple, which led to opposing defenses constantly being able to pick apart the gameplan and close up so many open throwing lanes and gaps in the run game. McCarthy likely won't go overboard with expanding the offense, but he should be able to use more concepts that the Steelers were reluctant to do in the past, like using the middle of the field more often.
Smiley N. Pool / The Dallas Morning News
New Steelers head coach, Mike McCarthy on the sideline while coaching the Dallas Cowboys.
If that all works out as expected, then there is no reason that both the offense and defense won't reach their potential. The Steelers should no longer be seen as underachievers with overpaid players. This should be the key to unlocking so much of the untapped potential that has been seemingly buried at Acrisure Stadium. Of course, that is a lot easier said than done, as there are plenty of other issues to comb through.
Steelers Are Having a Youth Movement With Aging Quarterback
There is also a lot of communication between the quarterback and the rest of the team. Aaron Rodgers is expected to be back, and he is very particular in how he wants certain things to be done. Meanwhile, the Steelers are getting significantly younger, especially at the receiver position. These guys are more focused on learning the ropes at the NFL level, which could cause a lot of friction on the field and in the locker room.
What do you think about the McCarthy keeping the same terminology for both the offense and defense in his first year as Pittsburgh's head coach? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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