Tolzien was a backup quarterback in Green Bay when McCarthy was the head coach. In 2025, Tolzien was the New Orleans Saints’ quarterbacks coach and received credit for the development of rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.
McCarthy said he will be the play-caller with the Steelers, but he will depend heavily on his offensive coordinator.
“To be honest with you, when you get into the seventh, eighth week of a regular season, coordinating is the hardest job on the coaching staff,” McCarthy said via Chris Ward of Yahoo! Sports. “The responsibility of that individual is huge, as far as how you progress as an offense, so when I’m putting together a staff, you’re looking at a level of experience, you’re looking for the dynamics of youth and experience. And it really, for me, comes down to fit. I’m just trying to fit it all together.”
Other pieces of McCarthy’s staff are taking shape. Veteran special teams coach Danny Crossman will reportedly take over that role with the Steelers. The 59-year-old Crossman has previously been a coordinator for four different NFL teams.
Crossman will replace longtime Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith, who left Pittsburgh after the season to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.