Steelers Suddenly Have Favorite For Next Defensive Coordinator Emerge After Mike McCarthy Hire

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the decision on Saturday to verbally agree to hire Mike McCarthy to be the franchise's next head coach. The news comes on the heels of long-time Head Coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to step away from coaching, a move that sent shockwaves through the organization and its fan base. Many within Steeler Nation had hoped the franchise would take this opportunity to move in a younger, more progressive direction; but instead, the front office opted for experience by turning to the 62-year-old former Super Bowl–winning coach.

The hire is rich with irony and history. Roughly 16 years ago, McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the Green Bay Packers to victory over Tomlin’s Steelers in Super Bowl XLV, a game that still resonates deeply with fans in Pittsburgh. Now, McCarthy steps into the very role once held by the coach he defeated on the sport’s biggest stage, tasked with guiding a proud franchise through a new era. 

With so many changes on the horizon, attention will quickly turn to how McCarthy shapes his staff and what philosophical direction he brings to the team. Questions about the rest of the coaching structure are already beginning to surface, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. 

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly took to social media on Saturday to share a revealing sentiment about who he believes McCarthy may target as defensive coordinator, sparking immediate speculation and debate. As the offseason unfolds, those decisions will play a critical role in determining whether this surprising hire ultimately steadies the franchise or deepens the uncertainty surrounding its future.

"I'd keep a keen eye on Al Harris coming in as the Steelers defensive coordinator," Kaboly said on Saturday. "Harris is currently the DB coach/defensive pass game coordinator with the Bears."

Kaboly believes that Al Harris, the current defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator for the Chicago Bears, will ultimately be hired as the Steelers' defensive coordinator. That is where he is putting his money, and as an insider with knowledge of what is happening inside the building, his opinion carries weight. Kaboly appears to know something about the direction the defense is headed, and he is staking his claim publicly with this post.

Harris played for 15 seasons in the NFL as a cornerback and is a member of the Packers Hall of Fame. He is known for developing defensive backs with elite ball anticipation, technique, and overall skill. 

His units have consistently been coached to generate turnovers and make plays on the football. He previously coached under McCarthy during McCarthy’s tenure with the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 to 2024, building a strong professional connection along the way. Harris later left Dallas to join the Bears for the 2025 season, where he played a pivotal role in the defense’s success despite the team battling key injuries.

Steelers' New HC Mike McCarthy May Hire Rising Star Defensive Coach

Harris is widely viewed as a rising coach in the NFL. His playing experience at the highest level, combined with his established relationship with the new head coach, is clearly a significant factor in this potential hire.

The football world was stunned when the Steelers chose to go in this direction, handing the job to McCarthy rather than pursuing a younger option. Now the Pittsburgh native gets the opportunity to reshape the franchise he grew up admiring, a chance that carries both pressure and promise.

If McCarthy follows through with hiring Harris, it would be an exciting addition to a brand new staff and the beginning of a new era of Steelers football. Still, much remains unproven, and real answers will only come in games. All eyes are on the Steel City.

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