The Steelers didn’t make a flashy hire. They made a familiar one. Mike McCarthy brings experience, structure, and a Super Bowl résumé — but also the same question that followed him in Dallas:
Does he raise your ceiling, or just protect your floor?
Why McCarthy Could Be a Good Fit
• He matches Steelers culture
Pittsburgh values structure, discipline, and professionalism. McCarthy runs stable programs and avoids chaos. That alignment matters for a franchise built on consistency.
• The offense needs a steady hand
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers have lacked identity on offense. McCarthy has a long history of quarterback-friendly systems and productive passing games. If the goal is competence and direction, this helps.
• He brings a high floor
McCarthy-led teams rarely implode. You’re likely getting competitive seasons, organized football, and playoff contention — which Pittsburgh expects as a baseline.
Why He Might Not Be Enough
• The playoff track record — team and coach — is concerning…
Over the last 10 seasons, the Steelers:
– Have made the playoffs 7Xs
-Have a 2–7 playoff record
-Have no playoff wins since the 2016 season
That’s nearly a decade of early exits or missing the dance. McCarthy’s own recent postseason history mirrors that pattern: good regular seasons, short January runs (4 trips to the playoffs, with a 2-4 record).
This hire feels built to maintain the status quo — not necessarily to break through.
• The AFC is built on offensive innovation
Mahomes, Allen, Burrow, Lamar — paired with aggressive play designers. McCarthy is respected, but he’s not viewed as a schematic edge-giver. “Solid” might not beat “explosive.”
• It’s a résumé hire, not a future hire
The league is trending younger and more creative. Pittsburgh leaned toward experience and familiarity instead of offensive evolution.
The Aaron Rodgers Factor
Here’s where things get interesting.
McCarthy and Rodgers spent 13 seasons together in Green Bay, amassing a 125-77-2 record and a win in Super Bowl XLV. The duo made the playoffs in nine of those 13 seasons together. That relationship — despite its ups and downs — carries credibility. If Rodgers is considering one last season, staying in Pittsburgh just became a more logical choice than it was a few days ago.
McCarthy offers:
A known system
A coach Rodgers has won with
A defense and organization built to contend
Would it be a long-term solution? No.
Could it be a one-year “let’s take a swing” scenario? Absolutely. Given Rodgers’ age, though, would it be worth it for the Steelers to bring him back? Or should they just move on and look for a young quarterback that can grow into their long-term cornerstone?
The Bottom Line
McCarthy likely maintains the Steelers’ floor.
BUT does he make them better? Pittsburgh’s real problem is a lack of growth and an inability to find the right quarterback. Without the right fit under center, I don’t know if McCarthy has what it takes to move the needle!
Right now, it feels safe.
What do you think?
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