Whether Pittsburgh Steelers fans are thrilled about Mike McCarthy becoming the team’s next head coach or not, the new staff is already starting to take shape.
Since being hired, McCarthy has moved quickly to assemble his coaching staff, and many of the names connected to Pittsburgh so far have ties to him from previous stops.
Outside of three coaches being retained from Mike Tomlin’s staff — linebackers coach Scott McCurley, quarterbacks coach Tom Arth and secondary coach Gerald Alexander — much of the staff will be new. It will also be larger than it was last season.
According to Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh is expanding its coaching staff after having the smallest — and least expensive — coaching staff in the NFL in 2025.
One of McCarthy’s first additions is offensive line coach James Campen, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Campen and McCarthy previously worked together with the Green Bay Packers.
Another familiar name tied to McCarthy is former Packers backup quarterback and current New Orleans Saints assistant Scott Tolzien, who is interviewing with the Steelers for the offensive coordinator job, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Those hires indicate only one thing: McCarthy was lying when he said he would welcome an Aaron Rodgers return.
Aaron Rodgers Had Close Relationship With James Campen
When Rodgers signed his one-year deal with Pittsburgh, he said the 2025 season would likely be his last. But just days before the regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens, Rodgers made it clear he wasn’t ready to commit to anything.
Whether other teams come calling or not, Pittsburgh still makes the most sense as a landing spot if Rodgers decides to play again. McCarthy’s arrival already helped push that idea forward, and the way the Steelers are building out their offensive staff has only added to it.
Schefter pointed to an Instagram post Rodgers made in 2021 that showed him embracing Campen while sharing a tribute to the longtime coach.
“This is James Campen, former Green Bay Packer player and coach, but he’s always been more than just a coach,” Rodgers wrote. “He has been a mentor, confidant, father figure, supporter, and friend to SO MANY players over the last 3+ decades.
“As just about any player who played for/with him for years would attest, we are all better for having been around Jimmy. You’re a better person than a coach my friend, and you’re a tremendous coach.”
That connection alone could matter if Rodgers is weighing his options. And the possibility of working with a former teammate in Tolzien could add another layer.
Scott Tolzien Speaks on Aaron Rodgers, Mike McCarthy
With the Senior Bowl taking place on Jan. 29, Tolzien handled offensive coordinator duties for the American Team — which could double as part of his interview process for the Steelers job.
While there, Tolzien was asked about his relationship with Rodgers, whom he backed up for three years in Green Bay.
“I learned more from him than any other quarterback,” Tolzien said, via Nick Farabaugh. “He’s just super talented, cerebral, and one of the things he just taught me was to have fun playing the game… I appreciate him.”
Tolzien also spoke about what McCarthy has meant to his career.
“He’s been incredible for my career, both as a player and a coach,” Tolzien said. “So, I’ve learned a ton about how to approach a game plan, how to manage a team and everything in between.”
It’s still too early to assume Tolzien will land the job, or that Rodgers will return. But as McCarthy’s staff begins to come together, the pieces are at least falling into place for Rodgers to consider one more run — with a familiar setup around him.
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