Art Rooney II said yesterday that Mike McCarthy was the “obvious decision” to be the new Steelers head coach. An emotional McCarthy said he can’t wait to get to work today on putting together the 2026 edition of his hometown team, and he said that work has already begun.
McCarthy likes the personnel group he is inheriting.
The biggest question mark is at quarterback, and McCarthy did coach Aaron Rodgers for thirteen seasons in Green Bay. Whether it’s Rodgers returning for a 22nd season, a free agent or a rookie draft pick, or one of his incumbents, such as Will Howard or Mason Rudolph, he likes his quarterback room.
Unlike the Steelers three most recent head coaches, Chuck Noll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin, McCarthy already has head coaching experience, and he says while the NFL is constantly evolving, there’s always one primary goal.
One thing that won’t change with the Steelers is the defensive platform. They’ll remain a 3-4 base defense, which McCarthy used in Green Bay when he hired Bill Cowher’s defensive coordinator, Dom Capers. One offense, though, the Steelers will feature the West Coast offense created by Bill Walsh with the 49ers. McCarthy used it with both the Packers and Cowboys.
The coach said he’d spent the previous two days discussing potential assistant coaches, including a new offensive coordinator, but he’s planning on being the team’s play caller. And he hinted that he’d like to retain at least some of Mike Tomlin’s staff.
Multiple sources report that McCarthy plans to interview Lunda Wells, his former tight ends coach in Dallas, for offensive coordinator. Others report that Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and Commanders defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons are candidates for defensive coordinator.
Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar will not be retained. He’s been with the Steelers since 2018.
NFL
The Buffalo Bills have promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to become their new head coach. That leaves the Browns, Raiders, and Cardinals as the only teams without a coach.
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