SAME OLD, SAME OLD

BY MIKE RIFKIN

The Pittsburgh Steelers are the latest team to hire a new coach. The team hired former Packer and Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy to be the new coach, replacing Mike Tomlin after 19 seasons. McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native (grew up in the suburbs) last coached for the Dallas Cowboys in 2024. McCarthy has a career record of 174-112-2 with the Cowboys and Packers. There are some people who will love this hire and there are others who don’t, like me.

So, you ask why would I not like this hire? There’s a few reasons, let’s start with the fact that the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since beating the Chiefs in 2016, and their last few appearances they have no showed. The Texans game this season was competitive, but CJ Stroud kept them in that. The Steelers entered this season as the second oldest team in Football (Washington) and after Tomlin left it felt like this could be a restart for the Steelers. 

Another reason I don’t love this hire is Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers played ok this season, but he is also 42 years old and leaving the door open for him is a mistake. But that would be kicking the Quarterback decision further down the road, when it should be addressed now. They could turn to Will Howard, who didn’t take a snap this season, but I get the feeling that is far fetched. The Steelers need to address the Quarterback situation like it actually matters, because going through the AFC in 2026 will be difficult. The Patriots are going to the Super Bowl, and teams like the Bills, Chargers, Broncos will all be back. And oh yeah in their own division they still will have to deal with Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, oh and some guy named Patrick Mahomes will be back. The Steelers cannot bandaid the quarterback position again. 

Like I said earlier the Steelers were the second oldest team in football, and after Tomlin left it felt like they could use a reset. Think of the trade offers they could get for TJ Watt, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, etc… the Steelers went all in with Rodgers it didn’t work, now they’re bringing in a coach where it feels the same it’s Super Bowl or Bust. Quite frankly when you look at the AFC I just don’t think the Steelers are at the top and they had an opportunity to reset and they refused. Now that won’t be McCarthy’s fault, but he will be the one who pays.