Mike McCarthy focused on the Pittsburgh job with a ‘strong’ candidacy
The Pittsburgh Steelers they have some tough decisions to make this offseason. It starts with the head coach after Mike Tomlin stepped down after a 19th season in Pittsburgh. Now, it appears Pittsburgh could be focusing on a candidate with multiple ties to the city and the organization.
Mike McCarthy will interview with the Steelers for their head coaching vacancy on Wednesday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelliser.
McCarthy was a candidate for the Titans before withdrawing his candidacy on Monday morning. He also refused other inquiries.
The Super Bowl-winning head coach is focused on Pittsburgh, where Pelissero said he is “considered a strong candidate.”
McCarthy has 18 years of experience as a head coach in the NFL. He spent his first 13 seasons in Green Bay, coaching Aaron Rodgers during his prime. The pair even won a Super Bowl together during the 2010 season.
McCarthy was most recently the head coach of the Cowboys through the 2024 season. The Cowboys opted not to extend McCarthy’s contract last offseason, causing him to take a one-year hiatus from coaching.
Of course, McCarthy’s history with Rodgers created rumors of a Pittsburgh reunion. Rumor has it that Rogers “open” to return to Pittsburgh in 2026 After the 2025 season ends, however, that was before Tomlin stepped down.
Perhaps the addition of McCarthy could be enough to bring Rodgers back to last season.
But Rodgers isn’t the only connection McCarthy has to the Steelers.
Mike’s father, Joe McCarthy, was a firefighter in Pittsburgh and even owned a bar in town.
“Mike McCarthy’s father, Joe, was a Pittsburgh firefighter and police officer who also owned Joe McCarthy’s Bar and Grill. Mike grew up a Steelers fan – and beat them in Super Bowl XLV. Now the real Jinzer could go home to continue following the next franchise Sunday on social media,” Peli Lombardi wrote on social media.
There seem to be several signs that McCarthy could be Pittsburgh’s guy.
It will be fascinating to see if he leaves the team facility without a contract on Wednesday.
2026-01-20 14:08:00
