Steelers on Verge of Luring Former Cowboys Head Coach to Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers, who saw longtime head coach Mike Tomlin step aside after 19 seasons with the franchise, including never having a losing season, were suddenly thrown into the midst of the coaching carousel and now appear to be on the brink of finding their next voice at head coach. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers and former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy are expected to finalize a deal to make McCarthy the fourth head coach in franchise history since 1969. With the expected finalization of the deal, the Steelers become the latest team to land a new head coach, as this offseason has seen 10 teams searching for a new leader, with six of those teams already filling the role. The move signals a major shift for Pittsburgh as the organization transitions into a post-Tomlin era for the first time in nearly two decades. Now, as McCarthy and the Steelers prepare for an offseason filled with questions, much of the attention turns toward veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the uncertainty surrounding his future in the NFL. Rodgers’ career remains up in the air after finishing his first season in Pittsburgh, as the 42-year-old continues to weigh retirement.
McCarthy, 62, is no stranger to the NFL head coaching ranks, having spent 18 seasons leading teams between the Green Bay Packers and, most recently, the Dallas Cowboys. In 13 seasons with the Packers, where he spent the majority of his career, McCarthy experienced his greatest success while paired with a young Aaron Rodgers. The duo grew together into one of the winningest coach-quarterback tandems in the league. From 2006 to 2018, Rodgers and McCarthy posted a 100-57-1 regular season record with Green Bay, along with a 9-6 playoff mark and a Super Bowl XLV victory. Together, they captured six NFC North titles and produced a winning percentage over .600, highlighted by a 15-1 season in 2011. Following Green Bay, McCarthy moved to the Lone Star State, where he spent five seasons with the Cowboys from 2020 to 2024 with Dak Prescott as his quarterback.
The Steelers, who launched their search following the closure of the Mike Tomlin era in the Steel City, now turn their attention toward building a more complete roster this offseason. That process will begin at the quarterback position, where major decisions still loom for the front office. Rodgers and Pittsburgh remain open to a reunion, and with the likely hiring of McCarthy, it could entice the 42-year-old quarterback to return for one more season with his former coach. The potential partnership would give Pittsburgh stability under center but also raises long-term questions about the direction of the franchise. The decision to hire McCarthy also brings debate about whether Pittsburgh made the right choice by selecting a veteran coach in his 60s instead of a younger-minded option, as Klint Kubiak, Chris Shula, Anthony Weaver, and Brian Flores all drew interest during the team’s search. Still, owner Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan appear confident in choosing a seasoned leader as they aim to win the AFC North for a second straight year and chase their first Super Bowl since 2009.
