Steelers' Mike McCarthy Has Intriguing Opportunity To Revive Justin Herbert's Career

The Pittsburgh Steelers could face an important quarterback decision following the 2026 NFL season, and one insider has raised an intriguing possibility involving Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert. With veteran Aaron Rodgers approaching the final stages of his career, Pittsburgh must eventually identify a long-term answer at the position. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo believes Herbert could attract considerable interest if the Chargers ever decided to move on from their franchise quarterback. The possibility becomes particularly interesting when considering who is currently coaching in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers have spent years searching for stability at quarterback following Ben Roethlisberger's retirement. Rodgers has provided the organization with an experienced option, but his presence does not eliminate the need for a long-term succession plan. Meanwhile, Herbert's situation in Los Angeles has prompted questions about whether a change of scenery could eventually benefit the talented quarterback. That conversation remains hypothetical, but it presents an interesting scenario for Pittsburgh.

Fittipaldo recently addressed a question about whether the Steelers would consider trading for Herbert if the Chargers continued losing, secured the first overall selection in the 2027 NFL Draft, and decided to select a replacement. The reporter did not claim Pittsburgh had contacted Los Angeles or expressed actual interest in acquiring Herbert. Instead, he explained why the quarterback's talent and Pittsburgh's coaching situation could make such a possibility worth discussing.

"I think a lot of teams would. Herbert has talent. And the Steelers have a QB guru as their head coach," Fittipaldo said. "The question is, can he be fixed? I think someone will bet he can."

That assessment is noteworthy because Fittipaldo did not dismiss the idea as unrealistic from a football standpoint. Instead, he suggested Herbert's natural ability would make him an appealing reclamation project for organizations searching for a quarterback. The Steelers could theoretically be among those teams because of Mike McCarthy's offensive background and experience working with established quarterbacks.

However, there is an important distinction between having interest in a talented player and being able to acquire him. Herbert remains a significant part of the Chargers' organization, and there is no indication from Fittipaldo's comments that Los Angeles intends to trade him. Any discussion about Pittsburgh acquiring the quarterback depends on several major developments that have not occurred.

Fittipaldo also questioned whether Herbert's struggles are connected to his current offensive environment. The reporter suggested the quarterback's previous performances indicate he is capable of playing at a higher level than he has recently demonstrated. That raises the possibility that a different coaching staff could help him rediscover his effectiveness.

"He was never this bad under previous coordinators," Fittipaldo said. "It just doesn't seem to be a good fit with Mike McDaniel."

Those comments introduce another important element to the discussion. Quarterback development is rarely determined by physical ability alone, particularly when offensive systems demand different responsibilities and decision-making processes. A player can possess considerable talent while struggling to consistently execute within a particular scheme.

For Pittsburgh, the potential appeal would involve acquiring a quarterback with established NFL experience rather than relying entirely on an unproven draft selection. Herbert has already demonstrated that he can operate an NFL offense, and his physical tools would give an offensive-minded coach plenty to work with. The question would be whether McCarthy could create a system that better suits his strengths.

Steelers' Mike McCarthy Could Make Justin Herbert An Interesting Target

McCarthy's presence is arguably the most compelling part of Fittipaldo's response. The Steelers hired an experienced offensive coach who has worked with accomplished quarterbacks throughout his career. If Pittsburgh eventually pursues a veteran replacement for Rodgers, that background could influence how the organization evaluates potential candidates.

Herbert would represent a particularly ambitious possibility because quarterbacks with his experience and talent rarely become available through trades. Even if Los Angeles decided to rebuild around a younger passer, the Chargers would likely expect significant compensation for moving an established starter. Pittsburgh would have to weigh the potential benefits against the cost of surrendering valuable draft capital.

Would you want the Pittsburgh Steelers to pursue Justin Herbert if the Chargers made him available? Share your thoughts with me on X @anthonyghalkias.

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