Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy during his introductory press conference on Jan. 27, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Out of any Pittsburgh Steelers player, Cam Heyward might’ve been the closest with former head coach Mike Tomlin. The two made a point to walk off the field together after every away game for about a decade, inviting Aaron Rodgers into the fold this past season.
Not long into his tenure taking over for Tomlin, Mike McCarthy is winning the mainstay defensive lineman over.
“I just talked to him not too long ago, and I love that he loves Pittsburgh,” Heyward said Wednesday on Jim Rome’s radio show. “That means the world to me, because that’s someone who’s gonna value the job, that’s someone who’s going to make the most out of this opportunity. There’s a hunger there, there’s a respect there. His family still lives in Pittsburgh. And so we talked about that — my family still lives in Pittsburgh, as well — and we resonated that. His brother was actually my next-door neighbor for all those years ago.
“I’ve had a leg up in admiring him from afar, but he’s a hell of a coach, too. He’s won a Super Bowl, and the players here today that have had a chance to be coached by him have a lot of respect for him, as well.”
Pittsburgh Steelers DT Cam Heyward in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 5, 2025. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
McCarthy, a Greenfield native, has compiled a 174-112-2 record across 18 seasons as head coach for the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys. His second coaching job was with the University of Pittsburgh (1989-92), first as a graduate assistant, then as a wide receivers coach. His appreciation for the Steel City was on full display upon being introduced as the Steelers’ leader.
“I understand and embrace the responsibility and privilege and the weight that comes with this stewardship, this city, this franchise, this fan base,” McCarthy said during his press conference. “It means the world to me, because Pittsburgh is my world. It’s just awesome to be back here.”
Mentioned In This Article: Cam Heyward Mike McCarthy Mike Tomlin Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers