The Pittsburgh Steelers are on the brink of hiring Mike McCarthy as their new head coach, according to sources from the league who spoke to The Athletic. This development comes just a short time after Mike Tomlin, who held the position for an impressive 19 years, stepped down (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6939323/2026/01/13/mike-tomlin-pittsburgh-steelers/).
McCarthy, who is 62 years old, previously led both the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers. His most notable achievement occurred following the 2010 season when he triumphed over the Steelers with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Super Bowl XLV.
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, McCarthy has long admired the legendary Chuck Noll, who coached the team during its golden age in the 1970s. This new role presents him with a unique opportunity to return to his hometown, becoming only the fourth head coach the franchise has appointed since Noll took the helm in 1969. Notably, McCarthy's father, Joe McCarthy Jr., was a firefighter who also owned a local bar in the Greenfield area, further rooting him in the community.
Even though the Steelers have a strong tradition of promoting homegrown talent, this choice represents a departure from their typical hiring strategy. Historically, the team has leaned towards younger head coaches with a defensive background, ensuring longevity and stability. Chuck Noll was 37 when selected, Bill Cowher was 34, and Mike Tomlin was also 34—all of whom left their positions before reaching the age of 60.
In contrast, McCarthy will be the second oldest head coach currently in the NFL, second only to Andy Reid, who is 67. While Todd Bowles, Jim Harbaugh, and Sean Payton are all 62, they were born later in 1963 than McCarthy. This marks a significant milestone, as McCarthy becomes the first head coach in Steelers history to be over the age of 60.
Moreover, McCarthy's expertise lies on the offensive side of the game, which diverges from a trend that has persisted for over five decades. Early in his NFL career, he worked as a quarterbacks coach for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Green Bay Packers before advancing to roles as an offensive coordinator with the New Orleans Saints and the San Francisco 49ers. During his tenure with the Saints from 2000 to 2004, he collaborated with two young staff members—Omar Khan and Andy Weidl—who now hold the positions of general manager and assistant GM for the Steelers, respectively.
Throughout his impressive 18-year coaching career, McCarthy has accumulated a record of 174 wins, 112 losses, and 2 ties, alongside a playoff record of 11 wins and 11 losses. He successfully led teams to the postseason in 12 of those 18 seasons; however, both of his previous head coaching stints ended with his termination. The Packers let him go in 2018 after a disappointing start to the season at 4-7-1, while the Cowboys decided to part ways following a 7-10 season in 2024, during which their quarterback Dak Prescott faced limitations, playing only eight games.
While McCarthy's age raises questions about his fit for the position, it’s his extensive experience in working with quarterbacks that might be his strongest asset. Over the course of his career, he has coached notable quarterbacks such as Joe Montana, Rich Gannon, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Dak Prescott. The Steelers currently find themselves in a challenging situation partly due to their ongoing struggles in identifying and nurturing a worthy successor to Ben Roethlisberger. By bringing McCarthy on board, the Steelers are effectively banking on the hope that his seasoned offensive insight can guide the franchise forward, particularly in developing talent at this pivotal position.
Finding their next quarterback is unlikely to be a swift process. Although the Steelers have been diligently accumulating draft assets and anticipate having around 11 picks in the upcoming draft, what was once perceived as a deep quarterback class now appears less promising. On a related note, Aaron Rodgers, now 42 years old, has hinted at keeping his options open for the 2026 season (https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6983740/2026/01/20/aaron-rodgers-free-agency-teams-retirement). He mentioned to individuals within the Jets organization a few years ago that McCarthy would be one of the few coaches he would consider playing for again. While predicting Rodgers' future decisions is fraught with uncertainty, McCarthy's arrival as the new head coach could enhance the likelihood of the veteran quarterback spending another season in Pittsburgh.
