Ex-Steelers QB Charlie Batch Drops Harsh Truth On Pittsburgh And Detailed Why Mike McCarthy Is The Only Hope

The Pittsburgh Steelers have found themselves in a completely different situation in 2026 than they were in the previous season. Former head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down from his position after the team lost yet another playoff game. The organization had to respond to the sudden change and quickly hired Mike McCarthy to take over the vacancy. McCarthy, born in Pittsburgh, is an offensive-minded coach who focuses a lot on the passing game. A complete change from the hard-nosed defensive culture that Tomlin brought to the Steel City. 

The Steelers have completely switched away from their typical, defensively focused coaches, to one who prioritizes scoring points. Over the past few years, Pittsburgh has prided itself on low-scoring games and relying on a stout defense to prevent points. The offense hasn't been a huge focus, and nothing has been flashy. The Steelers have not been a team that has put up a ton of points since the late 2010s, and with this new coaching staff, it's entirely possible that picks up again. McCarthy has made it a point that he wants everyone to be on the same page.

Under Tomlin's leadership, the team never had a losing season. Even with this stat, Pittsburgh hasn't won a playoff game since 2017. They'll look to end that drought quickly under McCarthy, especially after the embarrassment that was the Steelers' home playoff game in 2025, where they hosted the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round.

On a recent episode of The Snap Count podcast, former Steelers QB Charlie Batch called out the organization's way of doing things as of late. 

"When you look at all the money on the defensive side of the ball and again trying to play ball control on the offensive side of the ball, that formula just did not work. And that's why you see multiple coordinators, and the offense becomes stale. Mike McCarthy is hired here to score points, something that he knows how to do," Batch said. "That's why I get excited about him not just as a head coach, but being involved on the offensive side, because if they can put points on the board, that defense can go out there and stop somebody." 

The defense wasn't the issue for Pittsburgh throughout Tomlin's tenure, but the offense often did not hold up their end of the bargain. It usually came down to the defense being the game's savior for the Black and Gold to take home a win. Scoring at will has been a persistent issue, and McCarthy's track record gives fans and brass hope that they can turn that side of the ball around. 

Pittsburgh had the league's highest-paid defense in 2025, and it's no stranger to investing heavily there. The Steelers have the roster and depth on the defensive side of the ball to be successful, but a scheme change on the offense was much needed. They have existing talent there, but it often wasn't utilized correctly. With the organization's recent acquisitions at skill positions on offense and under an offense-focused coach, there's no excuse for a lack of scoring. 

The Steelers Have The Weapons To Put It All Together

With the way the roster is constructed, even before the 2026 NFL Draft, it's clear that the effort is there to become an offensive threat. While the quarterback position is still uncertain, the team's weapons are arguably far better than in 2025. The front office has made it a point to add more talent on offense, and McCarthy could be a huge reason for that. Pittsburgh traded for Michael Pittman Jr. and added running back Rico Dowdle. 

It should be a big shift for the Steelers schematically and culturally in 2026, and this will be quite a crucial test for the team going forward. Can they finally become a true offensive threat? 

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