Mike McCarthy Eyes Familiar Face in Scott Tolzien as Steelers Begin New Era
Mike McCarthy’s next chapter in the NFL is officially underway in Pittsburgh, and it’s already starting to look a little familiar. The former Cowboys and Packers head coach, now leading the Steelers, is reportedly considering bringing longtime associate Scott Tolzien along for the ride - this time as his offensive coordinator.
According to reports, the Steelers have informed the New Orleans Saints of their intention to interview Tolzien for the OC role. Tolzien spent this past season on the Saints’ staff, working closely with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.
But his history with McCarthy runs much deeper. The two go back to their Green Bay days, where Tolzien served as a backup quarterback from 2013 to 2015.
More recently, he worked under McCarthy in Dallas from 2020 through 2024, including a stint as the Cowboys’ quarterbacks coach.
For McCarthy, who managed just one playoff win during his time in Dallas, this move feels less like a reach and more like a calculated attempt to establish continuity - especially on the offensive side of the ball. And when you look at the resume Tolzien is quietly building, there’s reason to believe he could be a solid fit for a Steelers team in transition.
Let’s start with what Tolzien helped accomplish in Dallas. In 2023 - his first season as QB coach - Dak Prescott delivered one of the best campaigns of his career.
Prescott completed 69.5% of his passes for 4,516 yards, 36 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions, good for a 105.9 passer rating. That yardage total ranks third in his career, while the touchdown mark is second only to his 2021 season.
The numbers speak for themselves, but the bigger takeaway is how comfortable and efficient Prescott looked in that system with Tolzien in his ear.
Fast forward to this past season in New Orleans, and Tolzien was back at it - this time with a rookie. Tyler Shough didn’t make his first NFL start until Week 9, but once he got the nod, he didn’t look back.
Shough led the Saints to four straight wins, completing 67.6% of his passes for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also added 186 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
For a midseason rookie starter, those are encouraging numbers - and a testament to Tolzien’s ability to connect with young quarterbacks and get them up to speed quickly.
Tolzien also worked with Trey Lance during his time in Dallas. While Lance didn’t see much action - just four games - he parlayed his time with the Cowboys into a free agent deal with the Chargers ahead of the 2025 season. That’s three different quarterbacks, each at very different stages of their careers, who’ve benefited from Tolzien’s coaching in some form.
Now, the big question in Pittsburgh is who’s going to be under center next season. Aaron Rodgers’ future remains uncertain, and even if he does return, the Steelers are expected to target a quarterback in the upcoming draft.
Alabama’s Ty Simpson has been a popular name on mock draft boards and could be in play at pick No. 21.
Will Howard, a sixth-round pick in 2025 out of Ohio State, is already on the roster and could be another developmental option.
That’s where Tolzien could really make an impact. Whether it’s grooming a rookie or working with a veteran, his recent track record suggests he knows how to build rapport and develop quarterbacks - and that’s exactly what the Steelers need right now.
Of course, hiring Tolzien would come with some risk. At 38, he’s still relatively new to the coaching ranks and has never called plays at the NFL level. But McCarthy knows him well, and that familiarity could be a major asset as the Steelers look to reset their offensive identity.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on how many ex-Cowboys might follow McCarthy to Pittsburgh. With Dallas facing a tight cap situation, there could be opportunities for McCarthy to bring in a few familiar faces - players who already understand his system and could help accelerate the transition.
At the end of the day, this move - if it happens - wouldn’t be about headlines. It would be about trust, continuity, and building something sustainable in Pittsburgh. And for a franchise still searching for answers after another early playoff exit, that’s exactly the kind of foundation they need.