Mike Tomlin ironically turned to veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers for his final season as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach. With the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers defeated Tomlin and the Steelers in their last Super Bowl appearance. Interestingly, the Packers head coach in that contest was Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy.
In an another ironic twist of fate, the Steelers are expressing interest in McCarthy now replacing Tomlin as their head coach.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday the Steelers “are expected to speak” with McCarthy on their head coach vacancy.
“McCarthy is from Pittsburgh, and worked with Steelers GM Omar Khan in New Orleans in 2000,” wrote Schefter on X.
McCarthy posted a 174-112-2 record in 18 seasons as head coach of the Packers and Dallas Cowboys. Over nearly 13 campaigns in Green Bay, McCarthy led the Packers to eight 10-win seasons.
In Dallas, McCarthy registered three 12-5 seasons in five years.
Steelers to Interview Mike McCarthy: Report
The McCarthy interview will not shock fans closely following the Steelers head coaching search.
If the Steelers hire McCarthy, that could be a different story. But his resume and ties to Pittsburgh make him an obvious interview candidate.
Should he land a third head coaching gig, McCarthy wouldn’t come without his faults. But he’s only 19 wins shy of Tomlin on the regular season wins list. At 11-11 in the playoffs, McCarthy also owns a better postseason record than Tomlin (8-12).
It’s worth wondering what will happen with Rodgers if the Steelers hire McCarthy. The two worked together for all 13 of McCarthy’s seasons in Green Bay, but there was speculation that the two didn’t have a great relationship.
However, Steelers team president Art Rooney II strongly implied Wednesday that Rodgers wouldn’t be back in 2026 because of Tomlin’s departure.
McCarthy didn’t coach anywhere during the 2025 season. He led the Cowboys to a 7-10 record in 2024.
Former Browns HC Kevin Stefanski Lands With Atlanta Falcons
In addition to the McCarthy news, the Steelers received a positive update on the coaching front Saturday night/Sunday morning. The Atlanta Falcons announced they hired former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.
This is good news for the Steelers because Stefanski wasn’t one of their candidates.
“With the Steelers not showing interest in Stefanski, the Falcons hiring him could aid their process, when it comes to the availability of the coaches that the Steelers have identified as targets,” wrote Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders.
“The Steelers are playing catch-up, as the only one of the nine NFL teams this offseason with a head coaching vacancy that made the postseason. Most of the other teams have already completed most of their first round of interviews, with the Steelers just beginning theirs on Friday, so the Steelers will have to deal with other teams’ hirings impacting their process.”
Including the Steelers, there are seven NFL head coach openings remaining. Former AFC North head coaches Stefanski and John Harbaugh have landed new opportunities with the Falcons and New York Giants, respectively.
The Steelers could have competition for McCarthy if they seriously pursue him. Sports Illustrated’s Madison Williams reported Thursday the Tennessee Titans planned to interview the former head coach.
Steelers Interested in Super Bowl-Winning Coach as Mike Tomlin Replacement: Report