The Pittsburgh Steelers came into the 2026 season with the expectation that the Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers reunion would help get this offense playing at a higher level. Instead, the team has experienced the same issues with inconsistency that they have in recent years with other coaches and quarterbacks. It doesn't help that these two keep bickering and cursing each other out like they did during their time with the Green Bay Packers. If this kind of relationship continues on, this last ride will end before Week 18, let alone the postseason.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy (left) speaks with quarterback Aaron Rodgers (right) on the field before a preseason game in 2026.
Even with the obvious issues that the cameras and microphones catch, there is still a key problem with this relationship. While making an appearance on The North Shore Drive Podcast, insider Ray Fittipaldo explained what's going wrong with both Rodgers and McCarthy.
"I almost think Aaron and Mike outthink themselves because -- if you look at that opening 17-play drive, they had an almost perfect run-pass ratio..." Fittipaldo explained. "If you go to that drive in the [second] quarter where Chris Boswell missed that 48-yard field goal, Jaylen Warren had a 24-yard run to get them down to the 30. They were already in field goal range. You know what they did on the next three plays? Pass, pass, pass, sack, missed field goal. They're trying to be too cute. Just lean into your running game."
Overthinking things is nothing new to this organization. Sometimes, the simplest option is the best one, and that is the case here. There's no need for all these exotic pass plays, especially when this young offensive line is still trying to figure out how to properly communicate in a road environment. Just roll with the basic plays, because that has been what led to the Steelers scoring 30 points in Week 3.
Rodgers may still have some great arm talent, but it's obvious that he is not the same quarterback that he was 5-6 years ago. He can't be expected to carry this team to wins constantly. The 42-year-old is better off as a complementary piece at this point in his career, as he thrives when other pieces around him are working well to take the load off of him and force the defense to direct its attention elsewhere.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers looks to pass during the 2026 season opener at home against the Atlanta Falcons.
If both McCarthy and Rodgers seemingly stop overthinking everything, this obvious disconnect on gameday might not be a problem. Despite winning in Week 3, the Steelers had to burn multiple timeouts due to both men not being on the same page, including all three in the first half. In Week 4, there was the aforementioned viral moment when the two were caught cursing each other out in the first quarter.
Steelers' Solution To Offensive Woes Should Be Very Obvious
As Fittipaldo mentioned, the Steelers likely need to focus on the run game. In particular, feed Jaylen Warren as much as possible. He has been the catalyst to the offense when things were going well. He was barely used in the first two weeks, when Pittsburgh averaged eight points per game offensively. His explosion in Week 3 was the biggest reason why the team won that game.
Warren is one of the best running backs in the NFL in terms of making tacklers miss, if not the best. With an offensive line that is still trying to gel, having someone like him in the backfield helps this struggling unit a lot. Just give him the ball, whether it's on a run or a swing pass, and let the former undrafted free agent do his thing. Even when Rico Dowdle returned, Warren needs to be the focal point of the offensive gameplan no matter what.
What do you think about Rodgers and McCarthy reportedly overthinking everything on gameday and trying to be "too cute," as well as Warren's usage so far in the 2026 season? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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