Head coaching searches across the NFL are starting to wind down, with the latest development coming from the Pittsburgh Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy.
Pittsburgh now joins the Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans as teams that have filled their head coaching vacancies in recent weeks as the league remains in the middle of the playoffs.
The Steelers had recently interviewed McCarthy in person on January 21, one day after speaking with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. Before that, they met with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
There were reportedly more interviews still expected to take place, which made the sudden hiring of McCarthy especially surprising.
“Steelers opted not to wait to even talk with the Rams‘ assistants, Chris Shula or Nate Scheelhaase,” Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora said. “Not sure what the rush was, given that there was no other team pursuing McCarthy.”
That isn’t the only criticism the Steelers have faced since the announcement, either. Former players and media voices have been quick to weigh in on the decision.
Le’Veon Bell Criticizes Mike McCarthy Hire
So far, Pittsburgh’s decision to hire McCarthy may be one of the most criticized moves of the entire coaching cycle. Much of the backlash appears to stem from the Steelers choosing a veteran retread over a younger, up-and-coming candidate.
“4-13 incoming .. but hey, at least Mike Tomlin isn’t the coach of the Steelers anymore right?” former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell posted on X.
NBC Sports’ Matthew Berry took a similar approach, writing: “I am so here for this. Hey Steeler fans you think you were frustrated with Tomlin? Bwahahahaha.”
McCarthy owns a 174-112-2 record as a head coach between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. Across 18 seasons, he’s had only five losing years, including his final season in Dallas in 2024, when the Cowboys finished 7-10.
Steelers Go Against the Norm With Mike McCarthy Hiring
One of the most surprising parts of the move is McCarthy’s age and experience. Normally, that would be viewed as a positive — but not necessarily in Pittsburgh.
“These are not your fathers’ Steelers, or your grandfather’s Steelers,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said. “This is a break from tradition that went back to 1969.”
Pittsburgh’s previous head coaches dating back to Chuck Noll were defensive specialists in their 30s who had no head coaching experience before getting the job.
NFL insider Kevin Smith noted that while it’s unlikely McCarthy will mirror the legacy or success of Noll, Bill Cowher or Mike Tomlin, he could serve as a bridge to the next head coach.
“If the Steelers hire Scheelhaase as OC, for example, McCarthy could be an ideal mentor, showing Scheelhaase the head coaching ropes while Scheelhaase gains the experience he needs to take over,” Smith explained. “Having McCarthy as HC, Scheelhaase as OC and a proven DC like Raheem Morris would be a pretty good trio, with the potential of Scheelhaase moving into the HC position in a few years.”
Steelers fans haven’t endured a losing season since 2003 under Cowher, when Pittsburgh finished 6-10. That said, losing in the Steel City won’t be tolerated for any head coach — McCarthy included.
Maybe that’s what makes the future feel so uncertain for Steelers fans. At least with Tomlin, a winning season always felt like the baseline — even when it wasn’t particularly inspiring. McCarthy, though, feels more like a retread — and to some, potentially worse.
Ex-Steelers RB Sounds Off on Mike McCarthy Hiring With Brutal Prediction