Mike McCarthy Set to Become Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach: A Historic Homecoming with Major NFL Implications

In the long and storied history of the National Football League, only a handful of coaching careers can rival the legacy, longevity, and impact of Mike McCarthy. From his Super Bowl triumph in Green Bay to reshaping elite quarterbacks in Dallas, McCarthy has left a lasting mark wherever he has coached. Now, according to multiple league sources, that legacy is poised to take a dramatic new turn.

Mike McCarthy, the former head coach of the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, is reportedly set to become the next head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. If finalized, the move would represent not only a significant shift in the NFL coaching landscape but also a deeply personal homecoming for McCarthy, who grew up in Pittsburgh and rooted for the Steelers as a child.

At 62 years old, McCarthy would become just the fourth head coach in Steelers franchise history since 1969, underscoring the organization’s reputation for stability and long-term vision. Few franchises value continuity the way Pittsburgh does, and McCarthy’s résumé aligns closely with that philosophy.

Steelers Moving Toward Hiring Mike McCarthy

NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero was among the first to report the news, posting on X (formerly Twitter):

“Coming home: The Steelers are working towards a deal to hire Mike McCarthy as their head coach, per sources. McCarthy grew up in Pittsburgh. Now, at age 62, the Super Bowl winner gets a chance to coach the team he grew up rooting for.”

For McCarthy, the opportunity is more than just another coaching job. It is a chance to lead the franchise that shaped his early love for football, one of the NFL’s most iconic organizations, known for six Super Bowl championships and a fiercely loyal fan base.

McCarthy’s Exit from Dallas and Recent Coaching History

McCarthy most recently served as the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 through 2024. During his five-year tenure, he compiled a strong 49–25 regular-season record, including three consecutive 12–5 seasons from 2021 to 2023 and three straight playoff appearances.

However, the Cowboys’ fortunes shifted dramatically in the 2024 season. Dallas finished 7–10, missing the playoffs after years of regular-season success. As a result, the Cowboys opted not to renew McCarthy’s contract.

Dallas quickly pivoted to former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as head coach. The decision, however, did not yield immediate improvement. Under Schottenheimer, the Cowboys finished 7–9–1 in 2025, ending the season with a humiliating Week 18 loss to the New York Giants that raised further questions about the franchise’s direction.

In hindsight, McCarthy’s departure may prove to be a turning point not only for Dallas but also for Pittsburgh.

Longstanding Relationship with Steelers GM Omar Khan

Another key factor in McCarthy’s potential hiring is his existing relationship with Steelers general manager Omar Khan. The two worked together in New Orleans in 2000, forming a professional connection that has lasted more than two decades.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter highlighted the reunion:

“Mike McCarthy and Steelers GM Omar Khan worked together in New Orleans in 2000, and now will work together again in Pittsburgh.”

That shared history could play a critical role in aligning the Steelers’ front office and coaching staff, something the organization highly values as it enters a new era following the resignation of longtime head coach Mike Tomlin, who stepped down after 19 seasons.

NFL Coaching Carousel: Openings Narrowing

If McCarthy officially takes the Pittsburgh job, six of the NFL’s ten head coaching vacancies will have been filled. That would leave just four teams still searching for head coaches:

• Buffalo Bills

• Arizona Cardinals

• Cleveland Browns

• Las Vegas Raiders

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted an important procedural detail:

“With the Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy, worth noting: There are now four openings left and three — Cardinals, Bills, and Raiders — have fulfilled Rooney Rule requirements and can make hires.”

This development positions the Steelers as one of the first teams to settle their leadership situation, giving them a potential advantage in offseason planning, free agency, and the NFL Draft.

Could Mike McCarthy Bring Aaron Rodgers Back?

Perhaps the most intriguing storyline surrounding McCarthy’s arrival in Pittsburgh is what it could mean for Aaron Rodgers.

McCarthy enjoyed the greatest success of his coaching career while paired with Rodgers in Green Bay. Together, they won Super Bowl XLV following the 2010 season, and Rodgers developed into a four-time NFL MVP under McCarthy’s guidance.

Now, that partnership could be rekindled.

Rodgers, 42, just completed his first season as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, leading the team to a 9–8 record and a Wild Card playoff appearance before a loss to the Houston Texans. However, Rodgers has also openly contemplated retirement, leaving his future uncertain.

McCarthy’s presence could influence Rodgers’ decision to return for another season, creating a familiar offensive environment and a chance to chase one final championship.

Critics Warn Against a Rodgers–McCarthy Reunion

Not everyone believes a reunion would be wise.

ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky voiced strong criticism of the idea just days before McCarthy’s reported hiring:

“Hiring Mike McCarthy and bringing Aaron back would be the worst decision Pittsburgh could make. That’s not an indictment on either one of them individually, but hiring McCarthy and bringing Rodgers back puts you in the exact same position in January 2027 as they’re in right now. It makes it so you’re just good enough to win 8–9 games and maybe make the playoffs … and then you can’t draft an elite quarterback.”

Orlovsky’s comments reflect a broader debate within NFL circles: whether teams should pursue short-term competitiveness with veteran stars or commit to rebuilding and developing younger quarterbacks.

McCarthy’s Quarterback Development Success

Despite criticism, McCarthy’s track record with quarterbacks remains one of his strongest selling points.

In Dallas, his most notable achievement may have been transforming Dak Prescott into one of the league’s elite quarterbacks. Under McCarthy’s leadership, Prescott reached new heights, finishing as the NFL MVP runner-up in 2023.

Prescott’s success was rewarded financially as well. During McCarthy’s tenure, Prescott signed the two largest contracts in NFL history at the time:

• A four-year, $160 million deal in 2020

• A four-year, $240 million extension in 2024

Those contracts reflect not only Prescott’s talent but also McCarthy’s ability to build offensive systems that maximize quarterback performance.

What McCarthy Means for the Steelers’ Future

The Steelers are entering a transitional period. With Mike Tomlin’s departure, the franchise must balance its tradition of stability with the need to adapt to a rapidly evolving NFL.

McCarthy offers a rare combination of:

• Super Bowl experience

• Long-term success in multiple franchises

• Strong quarterback development credentials

• Familiarity with Pittsburgh’s football culture

For a team that prides itself on consistency and competitiveness, McCarthy may represent a safe yet ambitious choice.

Whether his tenure leads to another Lombardi Trophy or simply stabilizes the franchise during a period of change remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that Mike McCarthy’s return to Pittsburgh would be one of the most compelling coaching storylines in recent NFL history—a full-circle moment decades in the making.