Steelers Hire Mike McCarthy As Head Coach In Hometown Return
McCarthy, 62, reached a verbal agreement to replace Mike Tomlin and takes over a team with defensive stars and a likely quarterback question.
Overview
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced a verbal agreement with Mike McCarthy, 62, to become their next head coach, with the club saying he will replace Mike Tomlin after Tomlin stepped down Jan. 12.
The hire follows a wide-ranging search that interviewed nearly a dozen candidates and comes as Pittsburgh seeks to end six straight one-and-done playoff exits, a pattern dating to 2017.
Steelers President Art Rooney II said the team will "try to compete day one" and that the decision reflects a preference for experienced leadership, officials confirmed.
The roster includes aging defensive stars Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Jalen Ramsey, all in their 30s, and the Steelers hold the 21st overall pick in the 2026 draft, records show.
Aaron Rodgers, a free agent in March, has a historic partnership with McCarthy from Green Bay and could influence his decision about returning, sources said, though Rodgers has not committed to re-signing.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this hiring as a pragmatic return-to-competitiveness story, using evaluative language ('purgatory,' 'burnish a resume,' 'hometown boy who made good') and selective emphasis on McCarthy's Super Bowl history and Rodgers link. They prioritize narrative continuity and team stability over dissenting views, while quotes (Rooney) are presented mainly to support that frame.
Sources (5)
FAQ
Mike Tomlin stepped down on January 12 after the Steelers' six straight one-and-done playoff exits dating back to 2017.
Mike McCarthy has 17 seasons of NFL head coaching experience with a regular season record of 169–104–2, including a Super Bowl XLV win with the Green Bay Packers in 2011.
Mike McCarthy is a Greenfield native, making his hiring by the Pittsburgh Steelers a return to his hometown.
The Steelers roster features aging defensive stars Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Jalen Ramsey, all in their 30s.
Aaron Rodgers, a free agent in March, has a historic partnership with McCarthy from their Green Bay days and could influence his decision about returning to play for the Steelers.
History
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