How fans are reacting to Pittsburgh’s expected hiring of Mike McCarthy

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ decision to hire 62-year-old Mike McCarthy to be their new head coach proves they are not interested in rebuilding after losing their eighth straight playoff game. But they clearly yearn for change. At a time when there is more uncertainty surrounding the long-term quarterback situation than perhaps ever before, owner Art Rooney II is trusting the Super Bowl 45 champion to lay an offensive foundation that will help support the franchise heading into the next decade.

Yes, the parallels are undeniable. The Steelers go from a defensive minded HC that has underperformed in the playoffs in recent years to an offensive minded HC that has underperformed in the playoffs in recent years. Despite making a philosophical shift on the sidelines, Pittsburgh still elicits the same polarizing reaction from the public.

Many fans see expected McCarthy engagement as a sharp departure from the Steelers’ path. They fear the team will sacrifice its signature defensive identity and tradition of longtime coaches for an aging leader who has been unable to turn around the Dallas Cowboys’ postseason woes. But others in the land of the black and gold are hoping McCarthy can help develop Pittsburgh’s next starting quarterback, whoever that may be, while keeping the franchise in the playoffs.

Fans have a lot to say after Mike McCarthy agreed to become the Steelers’ new HC

“It’s about to be the shortest coaching tenure in Steelers history,” @24Shaft declared at Ks. “Right away at 10-7 like Mike Tomlin never went,” @mikee_takes noticed. “No… It was never over again,” @arasaka222 opinion. “Get the owners to sell the team. All these younger guys are available and Mr.Second Chance gets another shot.”

“I like this rental,” @RantBruschi101 declared. “Since Mike McCarthy beat Mike Tomlin in Super Bowl XLV (2011), McCarthy has been sacked twice but has twice as many playoff wins as Tomlin in that span.

“Mike McCarthy won with Rodgers and led Dallas to the playoffs multiple times. @AdebunmiAjibola commented. “Give him Arthur Smith or the right player and this could really work. Better than the endless 9-8 purgatory we’ve been in.”

McCarthy, native of Pittsburghideally they will bring great passion to the job. He grew up watching this team and understands what drives the city. That familiarity doesn’t mean much in terms of on-field performance, but McCarthy could endear himself to the locals with his Steel City Pride. He owns a 174-112 record during his time with the Green Bay Packers and Cowboys, and is 11-11 in the playoffs.

People will understandably draw comparisons to Mike Tomlin and throw around words like “stagnant” and “underachieving,” but McCarthy has a chance to start fresh with the Steelers. Fans are desperately hoping the franchise will do the same.