Steelers Need To Worry About Being Left Behind As Dysfunction May Get Exposed

The Pittsburgh Steelers are going through some monumental changes throughout the 2026 offseason. There are the typical changes that every team goes through as turnover has been seen on the roster, but the franchise is also moving forward with almost an entirely new coaching staff. Mike Tomlin shocked some fans by stepping down after the 2025 season came to a close, and Mike McCarthy is now leading the ship. Many argue that it was time for change in Pittsburgh, but there should be some worry about where the franchise might be heading as this is the biggest change for the organization since Tomlin was hired back in 2007.

Tomlin was best known as a football coach that knew how to properly lead a group of men, regardless of what was going on in the locker room or on the field. He knew how to connect with players in order to get the best out of them, but he said himself recently that maybe a new message was best -- especially for the veterans on the team. The franchise is now heading in a different direction, and it is a pivotal season for the Steelers in 2026. 

There are still the usual questions at the quarterback position as Aaron Rodgers could return, retire, or sign elsewhere. That should cause some fans to worry, and Mike Florio mentioned on Monday's episode of Pro Football Talk that some dysfunction within the organization could come to light with Tomlin out of the picture.

"That uniform goes a long way to covering up actual, or perceived dysfunction," Florio said. "And we may be finding out here, that Mike Tomlin was doing a lot to keep that team from not being a team that is residing in the bottom of the AFC North, and if they don't get this quarterback situation figured out, and the Browns do, the Steelers could get left in the dust in the AFC North."

It is no secret that Tomlin always got his rosters to over-perform. There were some years where Pittsburgh certainly should have finished with a losing record, but the Steelers always stayed afloat and were nearly always in playoff contention. Florio is now assuming that things could take a turn for the worst, especially with no true franchise quarterback in place.

Florio mentioned that the Cleveland Browns could end up surpassing the Steelers, which is something that would be hard to believe. The Browns have been one of the more dysfunctional franchises in all of sports, and it is strange to just assume that Cleveland will be able to figure everything out.

Both teams are in weird spots when it comes to the quarterback position. Deshaun Watson could be the starter in Cleveland in 2026. Rodgers will probably start for the Steelers, while both Drew Allar and Will Howard will be developed behind him. The quarterback position is a part of the reason McCarthy was hired. He has great experience developing the position, and Florio's concerns are the exact reasons he was hired.

Steelers' Mike McCarthy Could Be Team's Solution

McCarthy might not be as highly-regarded as Tomlin, but the guy still knows how to coach. Dysfunction should not be a concern in Pittsburgh. McCarthy has coached two of the league's most historical franchises in his career, and now he is adding the Steelers to that list. He understands the legacy of this franchise better than anyone as he is from Pittsburgh. 

Dysfunction is not something to worry about, especially not with a head coach that has experienced as much success in the NFL as McCarthy has.

What do you think about Florio's comments and comparing the Steelers to the Browns? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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