The winds of change are blowing through Pittsburgh, and they’re bringing a familiar face with them. With Mike Tomlin stepping away after a long and storied run, the Steelers are officially entering the Mike McCarthy era-and he's wasting no time putting his stamp on the franchise.
McCarthy, known for his no-nonsense leadership and Super Bowl pedigree, is overhauling the Steelers’ coaching staff from top to bottom. That includes tapping into his Green Bay roots, bringing in longtime Packers strength coaches Mark Lovat and Grant Thorne to help reshape the team’s physical foundation.
Lovat, in particular, is a name that carries weight. After 25 years in Green Bay, including a lengthy stint as the Packers’ strength and conditioning coordinator, he arrives in Pittsburgh with decades of experience working alongside elite NFL talent. His connection with McCarthy runs deep, and his approach to performance training is expected to play a key role in the Steelers’ cultural reboot.
It’s a crucial moment for the franchise. Pittsburgh has been stuck in a frustrating playoff pattern-nine straight first-round exits-and McCarthy’s staff-building decisions reflect a clear urgency to change that narrative.
That same urgency is evident in the Steelers’ pursuit of Danny Crossman as their next special teams coordinator. Crossman, most recently with the Miami Dolphins, brings a résumé packed with experience, including prior stops in Buffalo, Detroit, and Carolina. He’s seen just about everything in this league, and his arrival would add another layer of veteran leadership to a team that’s prioritizing stability and detail across the board.
Special teams have long been a hidden engine for playoff-caliber teams, and McCarthy knows that. Bringing in a seasoned hand like Crossman signals a commitment to the kind of discipline and situational excellence that often separates contenders from pretenders.
But the overhaul doesn’t stop there. On the defensive side, the Steelers are expected to finalize a deal with Patrick Graham to become the new defensive coordinator. Graham is no stranger to the grind-he’s led defenses for the Raiders, Giants, and Dolphins, and previously crossed paths with McCarthy in Green Bay back in 2018.
His task in Pittsburgh? Get the most out of a defense that has the star power-think T.J.
Watt and Cameron Heyward-but lacked consistency in 2025. Graham’s schemes are known for their adaptability, and if he can tighten up the unit’s execution, there’s real potential for this group to return to its dominant identity.
What’s clear is that McCarthy isn’t just plugging holes-he’s building a foundation. By bringing in trusted voices like Lovat, Crossman, and Graham, he’s surrounding himself with experienced minds who know how to prepare, motivate, and win.
The post-Tomlin era in Pittsburgh is officially underway. And while the names on the sideline may be changing, the goal remains the same: bring another Lombardi Trophy back to the Steel City. With McCarthy’s blueprint taking shape, the Steelers are hoping this fresh start leads to a much-needed breakthrough.