Mike McCarthy to the Steelers? Why Pittsburgh native is receiving interest as Mike Tomlin's replacement

Teddy Ricketson

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Mike McCarthy to the Steelers? Why Pittsburgh native is receiving interest as Mike Tomlin's replacement image

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in need of a new head coach. 

Former head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down after 18 years at the helm. The Steelers are now going through their first head coaching search since Tomlin was hired ahead of the 2007 season. 

Pittsburgh has a history of turning toward defensive-minded head coaches who have never served as a head coach before. At least that has been the template for the three head coaches that the franchise has had since 1969.

Former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is from Pittsburgh. The Steelers are bringing him in for an interview. While he is a candidate for the job, it could be a move to keep their future Hall-of-Fame quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, in town for another season. 

Here is more on why McCarthy is being linked to Pittsburgh as Tomlin's possible replacement. 

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McCarthy has already this cycle for the Tennessee Titans. The organization is going through the second round of interviews and McCarthy's name has not been made public for advancing in Tennessee's process. 

Adam Schefter reported on January 18 that McCarthy will be interviewing for the Steelers' head coach opening. He and GM Omar Khan go way back, as both were with the New Orleans Saints in 2000.

Where is Mike McCarthy from?

McCarthy was born on November 10, 1963, in Pittsburgh, PA. He was raised in Pittsburgh and went to Bishop Boyle High School which is in Homestead, PA. McCarthy's father, Joe, was a firefighter for the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau and then an officer for the Pittsburgh Police Department. The elder McCarthy also owned a bar called "Joe McCarthy's Bar and Grill."

McCarthy has many ties to the 2025 Steelers. He coached Rodgers in Green Bay from 2006 to 2018, was the Saints offensive coordinator in 2000 and 2001 when Khan worked in the football operations department, and the head coach candidate is also from Pittsburgh. 

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Will Mike McCarthy reunite with Aaron Rodgers?

The Steelers once again have a problem at quarterback. Pittsburgh has rookie quarterback Will Howard as the only player at the position for the projected 2026 roster. The Steelers could look at running it back with Rodgers, who signed a one-year deal for the 2025 season. He finished with 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 16 games. 

In owner Art Rooney II's press conference following Tomlin's resignation, he was asked if Rodgers would be back with the team. He said, "Probably not, Aaron [Rodgers] came here for Mike [Tomlin]."

McCarthy's interview has many seeing a clear connection that if he is hired, it could be a way to get Rodgers to return for 2026.

Currently, though, the veteran quarterback is not expected back. 

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