Steelers Now
While many are skeptical of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to hire 62-year-old Greenfield native Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss thinks the Steelers nailed it with bringing in the veteran offensive guru.
“Everywhere Mike McCarthy has been the offensive production has always skyrocketed. When you go back to when he was in Dallas. CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott — their best season was with Mike McCarthy as the play-caller. But back to this Aaron Rodgers thing, I don’t know the future of Aaron Rodgers is coming back or not. But Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers was two-time MVP with Mike McCarthy as his head coach and play-caller, so one more year. I don’t know what Aaron Rodgers has left in the tank, but one more try to go with Mike McCarthy. Because one thing about Pittsburgh, their offense stinks and it needs a lot of help.”
Moss makes a valid point. Even during his time as the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator from 2000-2004, offensive production improved under McCarthy.
"Everywhere Mike McCarthy has been the offensive production has always skyrocketed."@RandyMoss on the Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy as their next head coach 🏈 pic.twitter.com/K6vZmw7YGm
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 25, 2026
According to former longtime ESPN reporter Ed Werder, one of the elements McCarthy provided the Tennessee Titans and Steelers when he interviewed with them were videos and graphics of his long history of coaching and developing quarterbacks beginning with Joe Montana with the Kansas City Chiefs under Marty Schottenheimer.
Of course, McCarthy is also credited with developing Aaron Rodgers during their time in Green Bay. He also coached Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre for three seasons — in 1999 as the quarterbacks coach and in 2006 and 2007 when he was the Packers’ head coach.
McCarthy also helped develop Trent Green, Aaron Brooks and Dak Prescott.
It appears the Steelers are looking at McCarthy as a quarterback whisper. The franchise is in desperate need of a young up-and-coming quarterback.
Werder said a Steelers source told him earlier in the week after McCarthy’s interview that, “He’s been very impressive.”
Connor Hughes of SNY shared a key detail that could’ve played a part in why the Steelers hired McCarthy, especially if they plan on running it back with 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“I remember talking to Aaron Rodgers in the locker room toward the end of his tenure with the #Jets. Mentioned “wherever Mike McCarthy ends up” as a potential landing spot. Sure sounds like McCarthy is headed to the #Steelers. Wonder if that gets Rodgers back for another year,” Hughes wrote on X.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN, Steelers players want Rodgers back next season.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers remain open to an Aaron Rodgers reunion in 2026, even though it’s unlikely because of Mike Tomlin’s resignation, sources told ESPN,” Schefter wrote. “The Steelers players are more than open to Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh;...
