{"id":714032,"date":"2026-01-29T13:22:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T13:22:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/714032\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T13:22:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T13:22:16","slug":"mike-mccarthy-was-wrong-coaching-hire-for-pittsburgh-steelers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/714032\/","title":{"rendered":"Mike McCarthy was wrong coaching hire for Pittsburgh Steelers"},"content":{"rendered":"

After the Pittsburgh Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin parted ways after 19 seasons, the Steelers have hired new head coach Mike McCarthy.<\/p>\n

The former head coach of the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys has a Super Bowl win on his resume, but that doesn\u2019t mean he was the right hire for the Steelers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Feb 6, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy (right) greets Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (left) after Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

The Steelers didn\u2019t have a losing season in Tomlin\u2019s 19-year run, but are also in the midst of a streak during which they haven\u2019t won a playoff game in seven consecutive years (which ties the NFL record).<\/p>\n

While a fresh face may help change the Steelers\u2019 playoff fortunes, McCarthy hasn\u2019t had the best playoff record as of late as his lone Super Bowl win was 15 years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n

MORE: Super Bowl LX odds: Opening line for Patriots, Seahawks revealed<\/a><\/p>\n

McCarthy\u2019s .608 regular-season winning percentage (185-113-2) will play well in Pittsburgh as they haven\u2019t had a losing season for an NFL record 22 years, but they need someone to get them over the playoff hump, and the Pittsburgh native\u2019s playoff record is just 11-11 (including 1-3 in his most recent stint with the Cowboys).<\/p>\n

\"SevenDallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

McCarthy is also 62 years old, so there\u2019s very little chance he\u2019ll be around as long as his three predecessors, who had stints averaging 19 years. That doesn\u2019t mean he won\u2019t win in Pittsburgh, but McCarthy likely won\u2019t represent a changing of the guard as he\u2019s already lobbied for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to return next season.<\/p>\n

The Steelers had a chance to reset an aging roster, but the hiring of McCarthy represents a bit of a status quo-type move. They have a few stars on their roster with DK Metcalf and T.J. Watt, but the Steelers missed an opportunity to rebuild their roster into a more modern one. With an AFC that is loaded with star quarterbacks, it\u2019s hard to see how McCarthy will be able to get Pittsburgh over the hump in 2026 (and beyond).<\/p>\n

\u2014 Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n

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