In a move that signals both a respect for tradition and a clear-eyed look at the present, the Pittsburgh Steelers have named Mike McCarthy as their new head coach - just the fourth man to hold the position since 1969. That’s a remarkable stat in today’s NFL, where coaching carousels spin faster than ever. McCarthy steps in following the departure of Mike Tomlin, who led the team with consistency and command for 17 seasons.
McCarthy’s hiring marks a notable shift for Pittsburgh. At 60, he becomes the oldest head coach the franchise has ever brought in, and stylistically, he diverges from the type of candidate the Steelers have typically pursued.
But this isn’t about chasing trends - it’s about fit. Steelers owner Art Rooney has been vocal about not wanting to start from scratch with a roster that still has veteran talent.
Bringing in a coach with McCarthy’s résumé - a Super Bowl champion and longtime leader in Green Bay and Dallas - suggests Pittsburgh believes it can still contend, not rebuild.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, McCarthy edged out two other finalists for the job: Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Both candidates received in-person interviews, signaling how seriously the Steelers considered multiple paths forward.
Weaver, 45, has been climbing the coaching ladder steadily after a seven-year NFL playing career with the Ravens and Texans. His coaching journey began in 2010 at the University of Florida, and he quickly worked his way through the ranks with stops in New York (Jets), Buffalo, Cleveland, and Houston.
In 2020, he was promoted to defensive coordinator with the Texans, later joining the Ravens as their run game coordinator and defensive line coach. He took over as Miami’s defensive coordinator in 2024.
While Weaver’s coaching trajectory is impressive, the Dolphins’ defensive numbers in 2025 didn’t do him many favors. Miami ranked in the bottom third of the league in most major categories - 22nd in yards allowed, 24th in points allowed, 18th against the pass, and 26th against the run. Still, his name remains in the mix for other head coaching vacancies, including the Arizona Cardinals, and he’s also been in talks with Buffalo.
Flores, meanwhile, is no stranger to Pittsburgh. After being let go by the Dolphins in 2021, he joined the Steelers as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach, before moving on to become the Vikings’ defensive coordinator in 2023.
In 2025, his unit turned in one of the league’s most impressive performances: 9th in scoring defense, 5th in total defense, and 3rd against the pass. The lone weak spot?
Run defense, where Minnesota ranked 22nd.
Flores’ coaching roots trace back to the Patriots, where he started as a scouting assistant in 2004 and worked his way up through a variety of roles, eventually becoming Bill Belichick’s de facto defensive coordinator in 2018. He got his shot as a head coach in Miami the following year and compiled a 24-25 record over three seasons. While he didn’t reach the postseason, his teams were known for playing hard and overachieving - a trait that undoubtedly appealed to Pittsburgh during their search.
Ultimately, though, the Steelers went with experience. McCarthy brings a steady hand, a proven track record, and the kind of leadership that suggests Pittsburgh isn’t ready to hit the reset button just yet. In a franchise that values stability and identity, McCarthy’s arrival feels less like a shake-up and more like a calculated continuation - one aimed at getting the most out of a roster that still believes it can win.