Mike McCarthy is back in the AFC-and he’s wasting no time shaping the Pittsburgh Steelers in his image.
After five years at the helm in Dallas, McCarthy has officially been let go by the Cowboys. Now, as he takes over in Pittsburgh, he’s diving headfirst into assembling a coaching staff that reflects his philosophy, his experience, and-perhaps most importantly-his long-standing relationships across the league.
Familiar Faces on the Radar
One of the first names surfacing in McCarthy’s new chapter is Lunda Wells, the Cowboys’ tight ends coach. Wells has been with McCarthy for the entirety of his Dallas tenure, and he’s reportedly in the mix for the Steelers’ offensive coordinator job. That’s not a surprise-Wells has been gaining traction around the league, even drawing interest from the Commanders and making waves with a strong showing at the Shrine Bowl.
If McCarthy does bring Wells on board, it could mark the first domino to fall in what might be a broader migration of offensive staffers from Dallas to Pittsburgh. There’s already concern in Dallas that at least two assistants from Brian Schottenheimer’s offensive unit might follow McCarthy to the Steel City.
For the Cowboys, it’s a potential brain drain. For the Steelers, it’s a chance to inject new energy and continuity into a team that’s been searching for offensive identity.
The Green Bay Connection
McCarthy’s coaching tree doesn’t just branch through Dallas-it runs deep in Green Bay, too. One name to keep an eye on is Patrick Graham.
A former defensive coordinator for both the Giants and Raiders, Graham also spent time under McCarthy during their shared stint in Green Bay. He’s now being discussed as a serious candidate to take over as defensive coordinator in Pittsburgh.
Graham’s defenses have been known for their adaptability and toughness-two qualities that fit right into the Steelers’ long-standing defensive ethos. If McCarthy is looking to balance familiarity with fresh thinking, Graham might be the bridge between the past and the future.
A Clear Vision for Pittsburgh
What’s becoming clear is that McCarthy isn’t just filling out a staff-he’s building a culture. By targeting coaches who know his system and share his approach, he’s laying the groundwork for a quick transition and, potentially, a fast turnaround.
This isn’t about nostalgia or comfort. It’s about efficiency.
McCarthy knows what works in his system, and he’s assembling a team that can execute it from day one. That includes play-callers, position coaches, and coordinators who understand the nuances of his playbook and the expectations he sets behind the scenes.
For the Steelers, who’ve been stuck in a cycle of offensive inconsistency and defensive wear-downs, this could be the kind of structural reset that breathes new life into the franchise. McCarthy’s connections aren’t just names on a résumé-they’re pieces of a plan.
With his staff beginning to take shape, the next few weeks in Pittsburgh could define not just McCarthy’s second act, but the Steelers’ direction for years to come.