The Pittsburgh Steelers made the choice to hire a new head coach and it’s Mike McCarthy. The announcement has immediately sparked debate across the league and within Steeler Nation, as McCarthy is now 62 years old and already owns a Super Bowl ring. While his résumé is undeniable, many fans had hoped the organization would move in a younger, more progressive direction after Mike Tomlin elected to step away from coaching following an incredible 19-season tenure. To them, hiring a veteran coach feels more like maintaining the status quo than embracing a true rebuild.
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Former Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin meets with ex-Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy after a game.
A 62-year-old head coach doesn’t exactly signal a long-term reset, and that reality has left parts of the fan base conflicted. For weeks, supporters envisioned a fresh voice, a modern scheme, and a coach who could grow alongside a young core. Instead, they are now grappling with how to find optimism in a hire that feels safe rather than bold. The emotional whiplash from losing a franchise icon like Tomlin to bringing in another established, older coach has made the transition harder to process.
Still, not everyone is down on the move. Some pundits have already labeled it a sneaky good hire, pointing to McCarthy’s experience, offensive background, and ability to manage locker rooms. And after digging into his track record with first-round picks during his tenure as Dallas Cowboys head coach from 2020 to 2024, Steelers fans may actually find more reasons to be excited.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike McCarthy argues with an official during a home game while coaching the Dallas Cowboys.
If McCarthy can replicate that level of talent evaluation and development in Pittsburgh, this controversial hire could quietly turn into one of the more impactful decisions the franchise has made in years.
When McCarthy was hired by Dallas ahead of the 2020 NFL season, he was tasked with getting the Cowboys over the hump. The roster already had talent, and under his leadership that potential translated into three straight 12-win seasons. In his first draft, McCarthy used the 17th overall pick to select wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in the first round.
That quickly proved to be a home-run selection, as Lamb has consistently been regarded as one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the entire league. In the second round of that same draft, Dallas landed cornerback Trevon Diggs, another outstanding pick who immediately elevated the defense for a team trying to win right away.
McCarthy followed that up with yet another major hit in the 2021 NFL Draft when he selected pass rusher Micah Parsons with the 12th overall pick. Parsons quickly developed into a defensive superstar, further reinforcing the idea that McCarthy understands how to evaluate elite talent and maximize high draft capital.
Steelers Have Been Working Hard To Grow Youth Through Their Trenches
That is not to say Tomlin and General Manager Omar Khan have done a poor job in Pittsburgh. In fact, the Steelers have invested heavily in the trenches in recent years, trading up in 2023 to draft tackle Broderick Jones, selecting tackle Troy Fautanu in 2024, and using their 2025 first-round pick on defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.
McCarthy has a history of identifying and developing talent up front, but he has also shown a willingness to be aggressive when he believes a true star is on the board. If he sees a Lamb or Parsons-level prospect, he is not afraid to make the move. Of course, the Steelers will not always be drafting in the top half of the first round, which makes finding those elite talents more difficult.
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Former Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy stands on the sideline with his headset on as his old team participates in a professional football game.
It will also be interesting to see how much influence McCarthy ultimately has over the draft process in Pittsburgh. Still, his recent track record of hitting home runs in the early rounds offers a genuine silver lining and a reason for Steelers fans to feel cautiously optimistic.
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