A new era is beginning at the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach.
A Super Bowl champion with the Green Bay Packers, ironically beating the Steelers in the 2010 season, the 62-year-old McCarthy takes over following Mike Tomlin’s departure after 19 seasons.
The move could have a significant impact on the future of Aaron Rodgers, who was coached by McCarthy at Green Bay. They won that Super Bowl title together.
The 42-year-old may retire or look to join a new team, given that Tomlin was so influential in getting Rodgers through the door in the first place in 2025. But early indications are that McCarthy’s arrival could encourage him to return for another year.
Rodgers, Tomlin and the Steelers made the NFL playoffs thanks to a dramatic win on the final day of the regular season against the Baltimore Ravens.
But their postseason adventure ended in the wild card round when they were blown away by the Houston Texans, losing 30-6 after the Texans scored 24 points in the fourth quarter.
Mike McCarthy is taking over at the Pittsburgh Steelers following the exit of Mike Tomlin
McCarthy was the Green Bay Packers head coach when Aaron Rodgers won the Super Bowl
Tomlin left his role as the head coach after the Steelers in Januart after 19 seasons
‘Not going to make any emotional decisions,’ Rodgers said in the aftermath. ‘I’m disappointed. Obviously, it was such a fun year. A lot of adversity but a lot of fun.’
But Steelers team president Art Rooney II said last week that Rodgers signed with the team 12 months ago to play for Tomlin and accepted that his departure probably lowers the chances of Rodgers returning.
Replacing Tomlin is a big job, even for a coach with McCarthy’s record. In his 19 years, Tomlin had established himself as the face of the franchise and a hugely popular character around the city.
McCarthy was last working as the Dallas Cowboys head coach – he held that job for five seasons before leaving in 2024 – but is a Pittsburgh native and has been known as a long-term admirer of the Steelers.
He is the organization’s fourth head coach since 1969, following in the footsteps of Tomlin, Bill Cowher and Chuck Noll.
And the move to hire him means that there are now only four NFL head coach vacancies left in the league.
The chance to replace Sean McDermott at the Buffalo Bills remains the biggest opening but there are also jobs to be had at the Arizona Cardinals, Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns.
