The Pittsburgh Steelers have their new head coach - and it’s a familiar name with deep football roots. Mike McCarthy, the former Packers and Cowboys head man, is heading back to his hometown of Pittsburgh to take the reins. And he’s not just bringing his leadership to the Steel City - he’s bringing his playbook, too.
At his introductory press conference, McCarthy made one thing crystal clear: he’ll be calling the plays on offense. That’s not a surprise to anyone who’s followed his career. McCarthy’s been the architect behind his own offenses for the better part of two decades, dating back to his early days as offensive coordinator in New Orleans and San Francisco, and continuing through his long head coaching stints in Green Bay and Dallas.
“Yeah, definitely, I will call the plays on offense and so that obviously will run the offense,” McCarthy said, leaving no room for interpretation.
That marks a significant shift for the Steelers. Under Mike Tomlin, who led the team for 19 seasons, Pittsburgh leaned heavily on its offensive coordinators to handle playcalling duties.
Tomlin, a defensive-minded coach, typically delegated the offensive side of the ball. Most recently, that responsibility belonged to Arthur Smith, the former Falcons head coach, who has since moved on to take over the offense at Ohio State.
McCarthy’s arrival changes that dynamic. He’s stepping in with a clear offensive vision and the experience to back it up.
In Green Bay, he helped mold Aaron Rodgers into a perennial MVP candidate and Super Bowl champion. In Dallas, after a few years of letting others call plays, he took the reins himself in 2023 - and the Cowboys offense responded.
Now, he’ll try to do the same in Pittsburgh, a franchise that’s been searching for consistent offensive identity in recent years. With McCarthy calling the shots, the Steelers are betting on stability and proven experience to jumpstart that side of the ball.
But while McCarthy takes over the offense, the defense remains a key question mark. Teryl Austin has been the Steelers’ defensive coordinator since 2022, and as of now, there’s been no indication he’s on the way out. Still, with a new head coach in town, there’s always the potential for shakeups across the staff.
“These coaching staffs, you know, it’s a bigger challenge each and every year. I just think there’s more moving parts to it,” McCarthy said. “But it’s been very fluid the last 48 hours or so.”
Translation: expect movement. McCarthy will want to build a staff he trusts - one that fits his philosophy and can help implement his vision quickly. That could mean some familiar faces from his past stops, or new voices who align with the direction he wants to take this team.
One thing’s for sure: the Steelers are entering a new era. After nearly two decades under Tomlin, the team is shifting toward an offensive-minded head coach who isn’t afraid to take control of the playbook. McCarthy’s got the résumé, the rings, and now, the keys to one of the NFL’s most tradition-rich franchises.
The question now: can he bring that same success to Pittsburgh?