Uncovering McCarthy’s Go-To Offensive Weapons

by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published July 31, 2026, 7:49 AM

 

The Engine That Keeps the Chains Moving

Mike McCarthy has always valued backs who do more than simply carry the football. They must protect the quarterback, catch passes, stay on schedule and create hidden yardage. Jaylen Warren checks every one of those boxes.

After emerging as Pittsburgh’s unquestioned lead back in 2025, Warren enters the season coming off career highs across the board. His violent running style, exceptional contact balance and receiving ability make him an ideal fit for McCarthy’s offense, where running backs have historically been featured in both the rushing and passing game.

What To Expect

Last season, Warren nearly split the backfield with Kenneth Gainwell, who logged 517 offensive snaps compared to 489 for Warren. Gainwell essentially assumed the third-down role Warren once held when Najee Harris was Pittsburgh’s primary early-down back. That was evident in the passing game, where Gainwell drew 85 targets compared to 42 for Warren.

With Gainwell now in Tampa Bay, those passing-game opportunities are up for grabs. While newcomer Rico Dowdle brings value as a runner, he doesn’t offer the same receiving profile.

That could open the door for Warren to see a noticeable increase in targets and receptions, making him an even bigger weapon in McCarthy’s West Coast offense in 2026.

Career Snapshot

• 4 NFL seasons
• 557 rushing attempts
• 2,632 rushing yards
• 12 rushing touchdowns
• 167 receptions
• 1,227 receiving yards
• 2 receiving touchdowns
• 7 career yards per carry
• Career-high 958 rushing yards in 2025

Projections

• Carries: 220
• Yards: 979
• Targets: 59
• Catches: 52
• Yards: 379
• Touchdowns: 2

Green Bay Packers Leading Rushers 2006-17 (McCarthy coached 12 games in 2018)

• 2006: Ahman Green – 1,059 yards
• 2007: Ryan Grant – 956 yards
• 2008: Ryan Grant – 1,203 yards
• 2009: Ryan Grant – 1,253 yards
• 2010: Brandon Jackson – 703 yards
• 2011: Ryan Grant – 559 yards
• 2012: Alex Green – 464 yards
• 2013: Eddie Lacy – 1,178 yards
• 2014: Eddie Lacy – 1,139 yards
• 2015: Eddie Lacy – 758 yards
• 2016: Ty Montgomery – 457 yards
• 2017: Jamaal Williams – 556 yards

Dallas Cowboys Leading Rushers 2020-24

• 2020: Ezekiel Elliott – 979 yards
• 2021: Ezekiel Elliott – 1,002 yards
• 2022: Ezekiel Elliott – 876 yards
• 2023: Tony Pollard – 1,005 yards
• 2024: Rico Dowdle – 1,079 yards

Pittsburgh Finally Has Its Alpha

Debate still lingers if DK Metcalf was worth 4-year, $132 million contract extension with the Steelers in March of 2025, that included $60 million guaranteed.

His combination of size, long speed and play strength forces defensive coordinators to alter coverages. Press him and he can run through defenders. Play off and he quickly eats cushion before exploding vertically. Even when he isn’t catching passes, Metcalf changes how defenses align.

While the 2025 statistics were below his Seattle standards, the tape still shows a player capable of flipping field position with one play. McCarthy has consistently built explosive passing attacks around physical No. 1 receivers, and Metcalf could be next in line.

If Aaron Rodgers has time, expect plenty of deep overs, fades and play-action shots built around Pittsburgh’s newest offensive centerpiece.

What to Expect

Heading into the 2026 season, I feel comfortable suggesting McCarthy’s offense will take advantage of Metcalf’s skillset in a far more creative way than previous offensive coordinator Authur Smith.

His first season in Pittsburgh last year provided career lows in receiving yards (850) and targets (99). Metcalf’s 59 receptions ranked second lowest compared to his 58 his rookie season in Seattle in 2019.

Appearing in 15 games last season and assuming 17 is in the cards, along with McCarthy’s offense in Pittsburgh, a casual bump in targets, receptions, yards and touchdowns should favor Metcalf in 2026.

Career Snapshot

• 7 NFL seasons
• 497 receptions
• 7,174 receiving yards
• 54 receiving touchdowns
• 4 yards per reception
• Three 1,000-yard receiving seasons
• Career-best 1,303 receiving yards (2020)
• Two-time Pro Bowl selection

Projections

• Targets: 101
• Receptions: 68
• Yards: 1,015
• Touchdowns: 6

Green Bay Packers – Top 2 Receiving Yard Leaders by Season (2006–2017)

2006

• Donald Driver – 1,295
• Greg Jennings – 632

2007

• Donald Driver – 1,048
• Greg Jennings – 920

2008

• Greg Jennings – 1,292
• Donald Driver – 1,012

2009

• Greg Jennings – 1,113
• Donald Driver – 1,061

2010

• Greg Jennings – 1,265
• Donald Driver – 565

2011

• Jordy Nelson – 1,263
• Greg Jennings – 949

2012

• Randall Cobb – 954
• James Jones – 784

2013

• Jordy Nelson – 1,314
• Jarrett Boykin – 681

2014

• Jordy Nelson – 1,519
• Randall Cobb – 1,287

2015

• James Jones – 890
• Randall Cobb – 829

2016

• Jordy Nelson – 1,257
• Davante Adams – 997

2017

• Davante Adams – 885
• Randall Cobb – 653

Dallas Cowboys – Top 2 Receiving Yard Leaders by Season (2020–2024)

2020

• Amari Cooper – 1,114
• CeeDee Lamb – 935

2021

• CeeDee Lamb – 1,102
• Amari Cooper – 865

2022

• CeeDee Lamb – 1,359
• Dalton Schultz – 577

2023

• CeeDee Lamb – 1,749
• Brandin Cooks – 657

2024

• CeeDee Lamb – 1,194
• Jalen Tolbert – 610

The Reliable Chain Mover

Championship offenses need more than highlight-reel receivers. They need someone quarterbacks trust when the sticks say third-and-six. That’s where Michael Pittman Jr. thrives.

Pittman wins with toughness, body control and outstanding hands rather than pure speed. He consistently works through contact, boxes out defenders and extends drives by making contested catches look routine.

His arrival gives McCarthy another veteran weapon capable of lining up outside or working intermediate routes over the middle. Defenses focusing too heavily on DK Metcalf could pay the price if Pittman finds favorable one-on-one matchups.

What To Expect

The one thing that stood out to me most when Pittman did his inaugural press conference in Pittsburgh was the Colts inability to maximize his talents.

Indianapolis left plenty of meat on the bone.

In both 2024 and 2025, Pittman was targeted 111 times. Between 2021-23, Pittman had 426 targets that averaged out to 142 per season. Built on being the possession guy, it’s unlikely that he’ll hit 142 but 120 seems reasonable in 2026.

Projections

• Targets: 120
• Receptions: 74
• Yards: 803
• Touchdowns: 4

Career Snapshot

• 6 NFL seasons
• 485 receptions
• 5,254 receiving yards
• 25 receiving touchdowns
• 4% career catch rate
• Back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons (2021, 2023)
• Career-high 109 receptions (2023)
• 262 career first downs

Green Bay Packers – Top 2 Receiving Yard Leaders by Season (2006–2017)

2006

• Donald Driver – 1,295
• Greg Jennings – 632

2007

• Donald Driver – 1,048
• Greg Jennings – 920

2008

• Greg Jennings – 1,292
• Donald Driver – 1,012

2009

• Greg Jennings – 1,113
• Donald Driver – 1,061

2010

• Greg Jennings – 1,265
• Donald Driver – 565

2011

• Jordy Nelson – 1,263
• Greg Jennings – 949

2012

• Randall Cobb – 954
• James Jones – 784

2013

• Jordy Nelson – 1,314
• Jarrett Boykin – 681

2014

• Jordy Nelson – 1,519
• Randall Cobb – 1,287

2015

• James Jones – 890
• Randall Cobb – 829

2016

• Jordy Nelson – 1,257
• Davante Adams – 997

2017

• Davante Adams – 885
• Randall Cobb – 653

Dallas Cowboys – Top 2 Receiving Yard Leaders by Season (2020–2024)

2020

• Amari Cooper – 1,114
• CeeDee Lamb – 935

2021

• CeeDee Lamb – 1,102
• Amari Cooper – 865

2022

• CeeDee Lamb – 1,359
• Dalton Schultz – 577

2023

• CeeDee Lamb – 1,749
• Brandin Cooks – 657

2024

• CeeDee Lamb – 1,194
• Jalen Tolbert – 610

Who Rises Up as Fourth Option

While Jaylen Warren, DK Metcalf, and Michael Pittman Jr. project as the focal points of Pittsburgh’s offense, the supporting cast could be what elevates the unit to another level. Rico Dowdle, Germie Bernard, Pat Freiermuth, and Roman Wilson each bring a different dimension to Mike McCarthy’s system.

Dowdle provides a dependable complement in the backfield, Bernard adds speed and big-play potential as a rookie, Freiermuth remains a reliable target over the middle and in the red zone, and Wilson has the opportunity to take a significant leap in his second season.

Together, they give Aaron Rodgers a deep collection of playmakers capable of exploiting favorable matchups. If each player settles into his role, the Steelers won’t be relying on just three stars they’ll feature one of the deepest and most balanced collections of offensive weapons McCarthy has coached in years.

History says it’s receiver followed by tight end but Dowdle has experience in Dallas with McCarthy does that give him confidence in more playing time.

Green Bay Packers (2006–2017) 4th-Highest Offensive Yardage Producer

• 2006: Vernand Morency (RB) – 421 rushing yards
• 2007: James Jones (WR) – 676 receiving yards
• 2008: Jordy Nelson (WR) – 366 receiving yards
• 2009: Jermichael Finley (TE) – 676 receiving yards
• 2010: Jordy Nelson (WR) – 582 receiving yards
• 2011: Jermichael Finley (TE) – 767 receiving yards
• 2012: Jordy Nelson (WR) – 745 receiving yards
• 2013: Jarrett Boykin (WR) – 681 receiving yards
• 2014: Davante Adams (WR) – 446 receiving yards
• 2015: James Starks (RB) – 601 rushing yards
• 2016: Randall Cobb (WR) – 610 receiving yards
• 2017: Jordy Nelson (WR) – 482 receiving yards

Dallas Cowboys (2020–2024) 4th-Highest Offensive Yardage Producer

• 2020: Michael Gallup (WR) – 843 receiving yards
• 2021: Dalton Schultz (TE) – 808 receiving yards
• 2022: Dalton Schultz (TE) – 577 receiving yards
• 2023: Jake Ferguson (TE) – 761 receiving yards
• 2024: Jake Ferguson (TE) – 494 receiving yards

Overall, Fourth Highest in Yardage by Position

• Receivers: 9
• Tight Ends: 6
• Running Backs: 2

Green Bay (2006-2017)

• Receivers: 8
• Running Backs: 2
• Tight Ends: 2

Dallas (2020-2024)

• Tight Ends: 4
• Running Backs: 1