All articles tagged with #mike mccarthy
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said at the NFL owners meetings that he's confident Aaron Rodgers will play another season, though the decision remains Rodgers's personal choice; Rodgers is expected to return to Pittsburgh for a 22nd NFL season, with no specific timeline publicly announced.
Mike McCarthy said he doesn’t know whether Aaron Rodgers will return to the Steelers, calling it a “great story” but offering no breaking news. Rodgers’ one-year Steelers deal left his 2026 decision open; if he doesn’t come back, Pittsburgh would rely on Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, with a potential quarterback selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said a reunion with Aaron Rodgers would be a 'great story' but Rodgers is still weighing his 22nd NFL season as a free agent, with Pittsburgh viewed as a likely destination and McCarthy highlighting Rodgers’ Green Bay tenure and his 2025 Steelers production.
Mike McCarthy said a reunion with Aaron Rodgers would be a great story, as Rodgers remains a free agent with no clear decision about his NFL future after last season.
A.J. Hawk said on The Pat McAfee Show that he’s been texting Aaron Rodgers urging him to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Rodgers has not yet decided, leaving Pittsburgh waiting through free agency and the draft while weighing a reunion with a coach he respects. The Steelers have added Michael Pittman Jr. and other receiving options to bolster the attack, which could influence Rodgers’ decision if he returns in 2026.
Mike Tomlin spoke publicly for the first time since stepping down as Steelers head coach, expressing gratitude for a 19-year run in Pittsburgh. His wife also thanked the community, and the Steelers have moved forward with Mike McCarthy replacing him as head coach, with Tomlin enjoying time away and memories he’ll not forget.
On Pat McAfee’s show, Aaron Rodgers praised Mike McCarthy as the right fit to run the Steelers and emphasized his own status as a free agent weighing a possible retirement, with no deadline set for a decision.
The Steelers included Pat McAfee in their vetting of Mike McCarthy, with McAfee praising McCarthy’s preparation and engagement on his show. McCarthy was one of three in-person interview candidates (alongside Anthony Weaver and Brian Flores) and ultimately won the job after leaving the Cowboys; how much McAfee’s input influenced the decision remains unclear.
At the NFL Scouting Combine, Steelers coach Mike McCarthy grilled quarterback prospects Drew Allar and Carson Beck on football concepts. Allar said McCarthy was the toughest interviewer but the exchange was fun, while Beck described the session as cool and insightful. Both left impressed by McCarthy's football knowledge, signaling strong quarterback–coach dynamics possible in Pittsburgh.
Steelers GM Omar Khan says Mike McCarthy’s draft involvement will be very similar to Mike Tomlin’s, with McCarthy joining pro days and dinner meetings as planning begins. McCarthy has already engaged in pre-draft work and isn’t expected to back away from the process, though it remains to be seen if the team values the same traits. The Steelers emphasize “Steelers DNA” even as the exact physical and character criteria may evolve during the pro day circuit.
Rodgers has discussed a potential 2026 return with Steelers coach Mike McCarthy, with insiders saying the odds of a Steelers reunion are increasing; a contract would be required and Rodgers hasn’t made a final decision, but McCarthy’s openness to him as QB1 has renewed the possibility of him playing in Pittsburgh.
Mike McCarthy outlined a quarterback-focused plan for the Steelers, saying he’ll install and call plays and that quarterback fundamentals will drive the offense. He stressed meticulous five-step drops, precise footwork, ball carriage and a quick release, plus extensive film work and multiple throwing platforms for scrambles. He also advocates simple, adaptable progressions, run-read concepts, and freedom at the line, all built around developing Pittsburgh’s next franchise QB while balancing today’s shotgun-heavy, diverse defenses.
The Steelers are adding Frank Cignetti Jr. to their offensive staff, reuniting with Mike McCarthy after their Green Bay days. Cignetti, currently the offensive coordinator at IUP, has a long NFL résumé and college coaching background. With Tom Arth retained as quarterbacks coach, Cignetti would take a different role whose exact title isn’t decided and could be a senior offensive assistant or another new designation as Pittsburgh looks to spark its offense.
The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly expect Aaron Rodgers to return for the 2026 season, with Mike McCarthy now at the helm and Rodgers’ strong 2025 showing fueling optimism; insiders say the organization believes he still wants to play and would provide continuity at quarterback if he comes back.
New Steelers coach Mike McCarthy says Pittsburgh already has a playoff roster and will focus on free agency and a strong draft, with Aaron Rodgers potentially returning as quarterback and up to 12 picks projected for the 2026 draft class.