In the world of NFL coaching accolades, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had a curious dry spell. Despite Mike Tomlin's nearly two decades of impressive leadership, the Coach of the Year Award has eluded him.
The last Steelers coach to clinch this honor was Bill Cowher back in 1992. Fast forward 34 years, and there's buzz around Mike McCarthy potentially breaking that streak.
Bucky Brooks, a respected voice in NFL analysis, has pegged McCarthy as a dark horse for Coach of the Year as he steps into his new role with the Steelers. Brooks highlights McCarthy's potential to solidify his legacy by steering Pittsburgh to new heights. With a roster rich in seasoned talent, the Steelers are poised for a transformation from a solid team to a great one under McCarthy’s guidance.
The key, according to Brooks, lies in McCarthy's ability to rejuvenate Aaron Rodgers. If McCarthy can craft a system that plays to Rodgers’ strengths at 42, while also energizing defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to restore the defense's fierce reputation, the Steelers could emerge as serious contenders.
While Brooks isn't ready to crown McCarthy just yet, his choice signals that the Steelers are catching the eye of national analysts as a team to watch in the AFC North. Should McCarthy lead the Steelers back into the Super Bowl conversation and maximize Aaron Rodgers' twilight years, he’ll not only be in the running for Coach of the Year but also prove that Pittsburgh’s new era is off to a promising start.
In Other News...
Steelers Rookie Is Suddenly Crashing A Roster Battle Nobody Saw Coming
A seventh-round pick usually arrives in Pittsburgh with a long road ahead, but Robert Spears-Jennings has made enough of an impression early to get his name into the conversation. After OTAs and minicamp, an insider from The Athletic pointed to the rookie safety as a player who showed promising traits and could push for a spot on the 53-man roster in the kind of role the Steelers always seem to value, contributing on special teams while providing depth on the back end.
Spears-Jennings comes to the NFL after four seasons at Oklahoma, where he built a reputation for production and consistency across 47 games. His path is still steep, as it is for most late-round defensive backs, but the early buzz is notable because it suggests the Steelers may already be seeing more than just a developmental project as training camp approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Fans Wont Love This Surprise Trade Buzz On Defense
The Steelers are still sorting out what their defense is supposed to look like under Patrick Graham, and that includes a secondary that has already seen its share of movement. Pittsburgh brought back Asante Samuel Jr. on a one-year deal after his spinal fusion surgery, then added Jamel Dean and Jaquan Brisker to a group that is trying to mesh new pieces with the teams familiar 3-4 leanings.
Now comes the kind of chatter fans usually do not love this time of year: a Sports Illustrated report casting Samuel Jr. as a possible trade candidate. It is only speculation, but it adds another layer to a defense that is already balancing health, depth and scheme changes, with any move depending on whether Pittsburgh thinks the back end is crowded enough to justify it. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Are Already Zeroing In On A Future Defensive Anchor
The Steelers are already looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft as they start sorting through a middle linebacker class that could eventually shape the heart of their defense. Among the names on the radar are Auburns Xavier Atkins, Texas linebacker Biles, Indianas Rolijah Hardy and Notre Dames Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, a group that stands out for athleticism, versatility and the kind of range teams look for when theyre trying to find a long-term defensive centerpiece.
Biles is an especially interesting watch because he once played in Pittsburgh before transferring to Texas, and he arrives with a strong production track record that will keep evaluators paying attention. Hardy brings a different kind of profile, with impact plays that raise the question of how hell be deployed at the next level, while Viliamu-Asa already looks like the sort of bigger, sturdier presence that can hold up in the middle. For now, its just a scouting exercise, but it is a clear sign the Steelers are thinking about who might be next in line to anchor the defense. [Read more 🡒]