Steelers’ Mike McCarthy Buzz Isn’t Just About Aaron Rodgers

The Steelers interviewing Mike McCarthy has people jumping straight to one conclusion: “This is how they bring back Aaron Rodgers.”
Not so fast.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Rodgers could be tied to McCarthy — but that doesn’t mean Pittsburgh’s coaching search is some grand recruiting pitch.

Pelissero said that if Rodgers were to come back and play for one coach in 2026, McCarthy would make sense. But he also made it clear people took that the wrong way — the Steelers aren’t chasing McCarthy just to chase Rodgers.

If Pittsburgh hires McCarthy, it’s because they believe he’s the best fit for where the team is right now — and that matters, because this roster isn’t built for a slow rebuild. It’s veteran-heavy, it’s in “win-now” mode, and the next coach will be expected to keep them in the AFC mix immediately.

The Steelers interviewed McCarthy on Wednesday as they search for a replacement after Mike Tomlin stepped down at the end of the 2025 season.

McCarthy and Rodgers have real history. He coached Rodgers in Green Bay from 2006–2018, and Rodgers has publicly praised him in the past — even calling him a “hell of a ball coach” after McCarthy was fired by Dallas following the 2024 season.

As for Rodgers? Nothing is locked in. ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously reported that Rodgers didn’t commit to retiring or returning to Pittsburgh in discussions with the team.

McCarthy’s résumé is strong: a 174-112-2 career record across Green Bay and Dallas, with 12 playoff appearances. The knock is the postseason finish in Dallas — the Cowboys went 1–3 in the playoffs under him.

Still, for a Steelers team trying to stay relevant in a brutal AFC, McCarthy’s experience and stability might be exactly what they want — Rodgers or not.