A lot of NFL pundits are convinced the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to hire a young first-time head coach to replace Mike Tomlin. Most of their candidates fit that description, but one candidate very much goes against that type — Mike McCarthy.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Tuesday that McCarthy will get his shot to prove — despite his age and experience — he’s the right man for the job in Pittsburgh. Pelissero also added that McCarthy isn’t pursuing other opportunities besides the Steelers.
“Super Bowl-winning coach Mike McCarthy will interview Wednesday with the Steelers, per sources,” wrote Pelissero on X.
“McCarthy was a candidate for the Titans before withdrawing Monday morning and has turned down other inquiries. He’s focused on Pittsburgh, where he’s considered a strong candidate.”
The Tennessee Titans have already gone on to hire Robert Saleh as head coach. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported the Titans hiring of Saleh late Monday night.
McCarthy, who is from Greenfield, PA, a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, has, by far, the most experience of any candidate to be the next Steelers head coach. He was the Green Bay Packers head coach for 13 years, where he won Super Bowl XLV. McCarthy also served as the Dallas Cowboys head coach from 2020-24.
In 18 seasons with the Packers and Cowboys combined, he posted a 174-112-2 regular season mark and 11-11 postseason record.
Steelers Linked to Mike McCarthy With Aaron Rodgers Future Uncertain
McCarthy has another tie to the Steelers organization besides growing up in the area and a fan of the black and gold during his youth.
In 2000, McCarthy and Steelers general manager Omar Khan were both with the New Orleans Saints. Pundits speculated before Pelissero’s report that that connection could lead to McCarthy being a candidate in Pittsburgh this offseason.
There’s another potential factor — Aaron Rodgers. The quarterback played for McCarthy in all 13 seasons the head coach spent with the Packers. The pairing, ironically, defeated the Steelers in the Super Bowl.
SNY’s Connor Hughes posted on social media Tuesday at the end of his tenure with the New York Jets, Rodgers told him he would like to play for McCarthy again.
“Sure sounds like McCarthy is headed to the Steelers,” Hughes wrote. “Wonder if that gets Rodgers back for another year.”
Rodgers won his first two MVP awards in McCarthy’s offense. The quarterback-head coach duo posted a 100-57-1 record with Rodgers as a starter.
The Cons of Steelers Hiring McCarthy as Head Coach
Most Steelers pundits and fans don’t see McCarthy as the best choice to be the franchise’s next head coach. If the team elected to hire the Pittsburgh native, there will likely be significant disappointment in the fan base.
It’s one thing, though, if the Steelers hire McCarthy because he’s the best option for the job. It’s a whole another thing to hire McCarthy in the hopes that brings back Rodgers for another year.
Close Tomlin friend and former All-Pro cornerback Ronde Barber said on his podcast the Steelers head coach told him 2025 could be his last season. Knowing that, it makes sense that Tomlin pursued Rodgers last offseason because the head coach wanted a veteran quarterback that gave him the best chance to win in January again.
The strategy didn’t work. With Tomlin now gone, the Steelers have an opportunity for a clean slate with a new head coach and quarterback.
Hiring McCarthy and bringing back Rodgers just delays the inevitable with the Steelers. Eventually, they have to rebuild key parts of the roster to get back to a championship level.
But there’s no guarantee the Steelers take that approach this offseason. McCarthy, who is 62 years old, will have his opportunity to convince the organization they can win now.
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