The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly reached a verbal agreement to hire Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, signaling a significant - and somewhat surprising - turn in the franchise’s direction. After parting ways with longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, many expected the Steelers to go younger, to take a bold swing on a rising coaching talent who could usher in a new era. Instead, they’ve turned to a veteran with a Super Bowl ring and a reputation for consistency.
McCarthy, 62, brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong résumé. He’s won in this league - and not just once or twice.
From his long tenure in Green Bay to his recent years in Dallas, McCarthy has shown he can build winning teams. But the question in Pittsburgh isn’t whether he can keep the Steelers competitive.
It’s whether he can elevate them beyond the plateau they’ve been stuck on for years: good enough to make the playoffs, not quite good enough to make noise once they’re there.
That’s been the Steelers’ story for over a decade now - a team that consistently hovers around 9-8 or 10-7, sneaks into the postseason, and then bows out early. Tomlin was a master at keeping the floor high, even with subpar quarterback play and rosters that lacked elite talent in key spots. McCarthy feels like a continuation of that same philosophy: keep the team competitive, stay in the hunt, and hope things break right.
But in today’s NFL, that strategy can leave you stuck in the middle - not bad enough to draft a top-tier quarterback, not good enough to contend for a Super Bowl. It’s the NFL’s version of purgatory.
McCarthy’s reputation as a quarterback developer is well-earned, but the league has changed since he helped groom Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay. Quarterback prospects don’t often fall into your lap in the late first round anymore. If Pittsburgh is hoping McCarthy can find and mold the next great Steelers QB, they’ll likely need to be more aggressive than they’ve been in the past - either by trading up in the draft or taking a swing on a high-upside, high-risk player.
The other wrinkle here is the potential return of Aaron Rodgers. There’s speculation that McCarthy’s arrival could pave the way for a reunion between the two, but even if that materializes, it’s fair to ask how much Rodgers has left in the tank. He’ll be another year older, and while he’s still capable of moments of brilliance, the days of him single-handedly carrying a team deep into January may be behind him.
From a broader AFC North perspective, this hire feels like a win for the Steelers’ rivals. Baltimore, for example, just brought in a young, forward-thinking coach in Zach Orr, signaling a desire to push the envelope and evolve. Pittsburgh, by contrast, is doubling down on stability and experience - admirable in some ways, but potentially limiting in others.
This isn’t a teardown. It’s not a full reset.
It’s a team trying to stay relevant, hoping that McCarthy’s steady hand can guide them through a transitional period without sinking too far. And maybe that’s enough for now.
Maybe the Steelers believe that with the right tweaks and a little bit of luck, they can still be dangerous.
But it’s hard to shake the feeling that this move lacks the kind of bold vision that could truly reshape the franchise’s future. McCarthy is a proven coach, no doubt.
But is he the one to break the cycle? That’s the question Pittsburgh fans - and the rest of the AFC North - will be watching closely.