The Pittsburgh Steelers have found Mike Tomlin’s replacement.
Former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy agreed to a deal with the organization to be the historic franchise’s next head coach, according to multiple reports.
McCarthy spent the 2025 season out of the NFL after parting ways with the Cowboys. The 62-year-old finished his five-year tenure in Dallas as the head coach with a 49-35 record. He went 1-3 in the postseason but also led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-win seasons from 2021-23.
He compiled a 125-77-2 record in nearly 13 years in Green Bay, reaching the playoffs nine times and winning a Super Bowl in the 2010 season.
McCarthy grew up in Pittsburgh and now has the chance to coach his childhood team. The former Super Bowl-winning coach brings 18 years of head coaching experience to the Steelers and stability in a time of uncertainty.
Just two weeks ago, Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons as the Steelers’ head coach, and many wondered in which direction the franchise would go. That question has been answered. McCarthy becomes the Steelers’ fourth head coach since 1969 and is the second-oldest head coach in the NFL behind Andy Reid (67).
McCarthy interviewed with the team in person on Wednesday, Nov. 21, according to multiple reports, and also spoke with the Tennessee Titans about their vacancy before withdrawing from consideration.
He inherits a team with 11 picks in the 2026 draft, and a quarterback room consisting of Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard.
Some will wonder if Aaron Rodgers will return to the Steelers after his one-year contract expires. Rodgers and McCarthy spent 13 seasons (2006-18) together in Green Bay. Before leaving the New York Jets two years ago, the 42-year-old quarterback said that McCarthy would be one of the few coaches he’d want to play for. Time will tell if McCarthy’s hiring will lure Rodgers back to the Steelers in 2026.
The Steelers also conducted interviews with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, among several others: Ejiro Evero, Jeff Hafley (hired by the Dolphins as head coach), Klay Kubiak, Jesse Minter (hired by the Ravens as head coach), Nate Scheelhaase, Chris Shula, and Anthony Weaver.