The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached a verbal agreement to appoint Mike McCarthy as their new head coach. The announcement was made on Saturday, marking a significant shift for the franchise as McCarthy, a native of Pittsburgh, becomes only the fourth head coach in the team’s history since 1969. This decision follows Mike Tomlin stepping down after an impressive 19 seasons at the helm.
McCarthy’s hiring comes just 11 days after Tomlin’s resignation. The Steelers conducted extensive interviews, assessing seven candidates virtually and three in person, with McCarthy among those interviewed. Other candidates included Brian Flores, the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings, and Anthony Weaver, the defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins.
Having spent five seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, McCarthy did not coach in 2025 after failing to secure a contract extension following the previous season. His track record includes leading the Green Bay Packers to victory in the 2010 Super Bowl, providing him with valuable experience as the Steelers aim to return to championship contention. The last time the Steelers won the Super Bowl was in 2008.
There is speculation that McCarthy’s appointment may influence the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who spent a season with the Steelers. Rodgers, who previously played under McCarthy for 13 seasons with the Packers, won a Super Bowl title during their time together. Art Rooney II, the Steelers’ owner, indicated that the franchise’s direction could impact Rodgers’ decision to continue playing.
After Tomlin’s departure, Rooney stated, “I’m not sure why you waste a year of your life not trying to contend. We’ll try to compete day one if we can.” The Steelers are looking to position themselves as serious contenders for the Super Bowl under McCarthy’s leadership.
This hiring breaks a long-standing tradition within the franchise, as the last three head coaches—Tomlin, Bill Cowher, and Chuck Noll—were all under the age of 38 at the time of their appointments and had no prior head coaching experience in the NFL. The decision to bring in McCarthy signals the team’s desire to make an immediate impact in the league.
As the Steelers prepare for the upcoming season, they will aim to leverage McCarthy’s experience and strategic acumen to reclaim their place in the Super Bowl conversation.
