It’s been two weeks since Mike McCarthy took the reins as the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the conversation around the hire hasn’t cooled off - in fact, it’s heating up.
NFL insiders are already questioning how long of a leash McCarthy will get in Pittsburgh, with some labeling him as “already on the hot seat.” That’s a bold take, especially considering the franchise’s historically patient approach to coaching.
The Steelers don’t change head coaches often - just three in the last 55 years - and each of those hires stuck around for at least 15 seasons. That kind of stability is rare in today’s NFL, and it’s part of what makes this hire so intriguing.
This time, though, Pittsburgh broke from its usual mold. After a run of younger head coaches with long-term upside, the Steelers turned to a familiar name in McCarthy - a 62-year-old Pittsburgh native with a Super Bowl ring and a résumé that includes long stints with both the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. But the numbers don’t lie: since 2016, McCarthy has just one playoff win to his name.
That stat is what’s fueling some of the skepticism. Critics see the move as a step backward - a safe, perhaps overly conservative hire for a franchise that’s trying to keep pace in an AFC loaded with young quarterback talent and aggressive coaching minds. In the latest NFL Power Rankings, the Steelers landed at 14th, with McCarthy’s arrival drawing more shrugs than applause.
Still, the Steelers’ front office isn’t blinking. Team president Art Rooney II stood firmly behind the decision, calling McCarthy’s “record of success undeniable” and emphasizing his belief that the veteran coach is a “great fit” for the organization.
And there’s no denying McCarthy’s past accomplishments. He was at the helm in Green Bay from 2006 to 2018, guiding the Packers to a Super Bowl title in the 2010 season with Aaron Rodgers under center. That championship pedigree carries weight in a city like Pittsburgh, where football tradition runs deep and expectations are always high.
The question now is whether McCarthy can channel that past success into a new chapter - one where the Steelers are in the thick of the AFC playoff picture, not just fighting to stay relevant. The roster has talent, the fanbase is hungry, and the standard in Pittsburgh never changes: win, and do it with purpose.
McCarthy’s seat may feel warm to some, but in Pittsburgh, it’s always been about what happens on the field. The real judgment starts in September.