Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers could surprise a lot of people during the 2026 season.
New Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy has some big shoes to fill this season. However, one NFL analyst seems to believe he could do something in his first year that Mike Tomlin was never able to do in his 19 years in Pittsburgh.
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com has tabbed McCarthy as a dark horse candidate to win this year’s NFL Coach of the Year.
“This underappreciated, Super Bowl-winning head coach has a chance to cement his legacy with a strong run in Pittsburgh,” Brooks wrote. “McCarthy takes over a longtime winner that had plateaued under Mike Tomlin, but the roster still features enough veteran playmakers to make a jump from good to great under new direction. If the veteran coach can get Aaron Rodgers to play like a top-half quarterback in a system that minimizes his deficiencies as a 42-year-old — while simultaneously prodding defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to help the vaunted defense regain its swagger and suffocating style — the Steelers will make plenty of noise as contenders. Inherently, McCarthy could win his first Coach of the Year award.”
The Steelers did improve several parts of their roster this offseason through free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft. Some notable additions include wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., running back Rico Dowdle, cornerback Jamel Dean and defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day.
One could certainly argue that McCarthy has won with a lot less, too. Of course, every year is different, but McCarthy has been a proven winner throughout his NFL coaching career with a 174-112-2 career record and .608 winning percentage.
However, what the Steelers are hoping McCarthy brings to Pittsburgh is a modern-looking offense. He is somewhat breaking the mold as the team’s first head coach with an offensive background since Bill Austin, who coached from 1966-68.
If McCarthy can keep the Steelers offense relevant with 42-year-old Rodgers, he could have a chance at earning himself some hardware by the end of the season.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Coach Named Dark Horse Candidate For Major NFL Award
