Here We Go or Here We Go Again
by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published January 27, 2026, 5:58 PM
Pittsburgh, PA – It was supposed to be a new day. A new era arriving in Pittsburgh with the introduction of Mike McCarthy as the fourth head coach since Chuck Noll took over in 1969.
Art Rooney II was the first to speak as the owner, general manager and new head coach took their seats and he reminded everyone of the uniqueness of the day.
“It may be irrelevant to some of you, but I like the fact that today’s my grandfather’s birthday,” said Rooney II. “And he would have loved the fact that we’re hiring a guy from Greenfield to be our coach.”
McCarthy could barely utter any words before tearing up. This native of Pittsburgh, now 62, was ten or eleven years old when Noll began his run with the Steelers that saw the team usher in four Lombardi Trophies in the 1970s.
“I thought I would at least be able to get started [emotional],” began McCarthy. “Oftentimes, coaches and players, you put on new team colors, and it takes a minute to feel comfortable in those new colors. But to be blessed beyond any measure one day to put on the colors you wore since you brought home when you come home from Mercy Hospital.’
The love for the city and appreciation he had for taking over the position that became stale under Mike Tomlin seemed anew with his sincerity in taking the position. However once the dialogue between McCarthy and the assembled media began the fear of what the Steelers fans didn’t want appeared to be bubbling to the surface.
“I love the roster,” said McCarthy. “I think it’s Omar’s [Khan] turn to talk here. I think it’s a roster that is fluid. What I mean by that, the first thing I always look for, I know in my head coaching years, how many players do we have returning on contract? Are we at 52? Are we at 61? 64?”
Obviously, he cannot come out and blast the deficiencies that are there, but love was a strong word, when most feel the roster is average at best.
Then he addressed the defense in the same reply.
“The history of the Steelers defense and staying with the 3-4 is important, as far as the origin of it. That’s something we have to build off of.”
The thought of something blossoming in Pittsburgh began to die on the vine. I like the hire and I feel Rooney II wants to stick with a proven product, despite how aggravating it is for fans to hear.
He said after the Tomlin left, he wasn’t fond of the word “rebuild” and I don’t think you’ll see it until Dan Rooney II takes control and begins to use the resources he accumulated during his tenure in Pittsburgh. Probably not a department he hasn’t maximized to the best of his ability. When his time arrives, he should shine.
“We came into this wanting to hire the best coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Rooney II said during the press conference.
Maybe the best thing for Rooney II as well. It’s his team and he’ll direct as he sees fit. He was straight forward during the press conference after Tomlin decision to step away.
It spiraled out of sorts when McCarthy said he’d be in for Aaron Rodgers returning and playing for the Steelers at the age of 43. Rodgers had moments but top tier defenses abused him and looked bad.
“Definitely. I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” McCarthy replied about the former four-time league MVP.
It’s too much of the same but this is Art’s team. He’ll make these calls and he has explained good but not great is good enough. That was some of the more frustrating topics for fans wanting to new scene on the north shore.
McCarthy did mention twice his excitement to work with Will Howard who enters his second season without throwing a single pass in a real NFL game. The 185th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has a strong fan base.
It’s more like a longshot bet that you really feel confident about.
There are 32 teams in the National Football League, for 26 of them had a desired No. 1 pick start under center when the season began. Only six other teams had starting caliber outside the mindset of what make NFL teams comfortable.
Can McCarthy develop Howard into a guy that is considered on level of how first round quarterbacks are perceived. Odds tell you no. Fandom tells your soul, why not!
Those are just a few of the highlighted topics I felt worth sharing after McCarthy’s first press conference as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Love the emotion he showed. Loved his background and ability to maximize the most important position in football. The quarterback.
While it’s lovely to hire a guy like Chicago Bears Ben Johnson the reality is there are way more Freddie Kitchens or Rob Chudzinski, both hires of the Cleveland Browns. Each last one season before being dismissed.
Pittsburgh has a track record since Noll to Bill Cowher to Tomlin leading us to McCarthy. The dude isn’t a joke, he’s one of the better offensive minds in the game. He isn’t young but he knows the game.
Today was the first date between McCarthy and the fans.
The only thing we can do is try to use his words to prove out points or question his words. That’s the world we live in. I like the hire. I want him to succeed. I want him to develop Will Howard.
That said…
I also want to elope with Margort Robby.
It’s good to want things.
Wanting and reality are often different.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com
