PFT Live with Mike Florio PFTPM: Steelers plan to hire Mike McCarthy
Jan 24, 2026
A stunning report that Pittsburgh is moving to hire veteran coach Mike McCarthy. A look at how this choice breaks the team’s tradition of young defensive hires. Discussion of why Pittsburgh needs an offensive overhaul and the unresolved quarterback picture. Speculation about a possible Rodgers reunion and how fans might react.
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Steelers Break Tradition With McCarthy
- The Steelers are breaking a long-standing hiring formula by choosing an experienced offensive coach in his 60s over a young defensive coordinator.
- Mike Florio argues this reflects a strategic pivot to offense and adapting to rule changes that favor offensive play and player safety.
Legacy Of Young Defensive Hires
- Florio recounts the Steelers' history of hiring young defensive coordinators like Chuck Knoll, Bill Cowher, and Mike Tomlin who stayed long and won championships.
- He contrasts that legacy with the unprecedented choice of McCarthy, who previously beat the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.
Rule Changes Tilt Game Toward Offense
- The NFL has shifted toward offense largely due to player-safety rules about hits to the head and neck of defenseless receivers.
- Florio highlights that these rule changes altered team strategies and helped push the Steelers to prioritize offense.