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Earlier this month, the Pittsburgh Steelers began a head coaching search for the third time since hiring Chuck Noll in 1969.
On January 13, Mike Tomlin announced that he would be stepping down after 19 seasons as the franchise’s head coach.
During the search for their next head coach, the Steelers interviewed several candidates, many of them young assistants like Noll, Mike Tomlin and Bill Cowher, all of whom arrived in Pittsburgh as relative unknowns and left with Super Bowl rings and Hall of Fame-worthy resumes.
During an introductory news conference with the Steelers that became emotional at times, McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, was proud of his third chance as a head coach.
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Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy at a press conference announcing him as the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the PNC Champions Club at Acrisure Stadium on January 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh. (Charles LeClaire/Image Images)
“I thought I could at least get started,” the new Steelers head coach said, trying unsuccessfully to suppress his emotions as he looked at members of the McCarthy family inside Acrisure Stadium.
McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers spent several years together when they were both part of the Green Bay Packers. McCarthy led the Packers to a 125-77-2 record between 2006 and 2018. Rodgers left the Packers after the 2022 season. He spent two seasons with the New York Jets before signing a one-year contract with the Steelers last offseason.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy during the first half against the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on January 5, 2025. (Kevin Jairaj/Image Images)
While Rodgers had a relatively productive first season with the Steelers, the 42-year-old quarterback is undoubtedly much closer to the twilight of his storied career than the beginning. It’s unclear if Rodgers will return to the Steelers in 2026, pursue an opportunity with another team, or simply walk away from the game.
The possibility of a meeting between Rodgers and McCarthy was mentioned during Tuesday’s press conference. McCarthy expressed optimism about getting another chance to coach Rodgers.
“I definitely don’t see why you wouldn’t,” McCarthy responded to reporters’ questions about the possibility of working with the four-time MVP.
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In 2022, ahead of Dallas Cowboys coach McCarthy’s return to Lambeau Field, Rodgers said the passage of time had given him a greater appreciation for the seasons he spent with his former coach.
“It’s probably normal in any relationship you have,” Rodgers said at the time. “When you can take some time and have that separation, it’s natural to look back and have a greater sense of appreciation, gratitude and gratitude for that time.”
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, right, speaks at a press conference introducing him as the Steelers’ next head coach as owner Art Rooney II listens at the PNC Champions Club at Acrisure Stadium on January 27, 2026 in Pittsburgh. (Charles LeClaire/Image Images)
McCarthy oversaw the Packers’ 2010 season, when the franchise won its only Super Bowl title during Rodgers’ career, but the relationship between the quarterback and coach eventually soured. McCarthy was fired at the end of the 2018 season.
Neither McCarthy nor his hometown Steelers have returned to the big game since. He knows that time is ticking.
“It’s time to bring another championship to this great city,” McCarthy said Tuesday.
