The Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy in search of stability and experience. What they may have sacrificed in the process is direction. As the Seattle Seahawks continue to show legitimate offensive growth under Klint Kubiak, it has become increasingly difficult for Steelers fans to ignore what feels like a missed opportunity to modernize the franchise.
This decision was not about chasing trends. It was about recognizing where the NFL is going. Sustainable success in today’s league is driven by offense and quarterback development. On that front, Kubiak checked every box the Steelers needed.
Kubiak’s impact in Seattle extends far beyond weekly play-calling. His offense is built on structure and intention. It consistently blends a physical run game with play action, motion, and timing-based concepts designed to slow defenders and create clarity for the quarterback.
As the season progressed, the Seahawks became more efficient and disciplined. That progression signals coaching and teaching. These are traits the Steelers offense has lacked in recent years, often relying on individual effort rather than schematic advantage.
Kubiak has shown he can establish a clear offensive identity rather than simply manage talent, and now the Las Vegas Raiders will benefit from his talents when it could have been the Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could regret not even bringing Klint Kubiak in for an HC interview
The most compelling evidence of Kubiak’s value is the continued development of Sam Darnold. Long viewed as a quarterback defined by inconsistency, Darnold showed measurable growth under Kubiak’s guidance.
His decision-making improved. His footwork became more consistent. Most importantly, he appeared comfortable operating within a structure. Kubiak emphasized defined reads, rhythm throws, and heavy play action, allowing Darnold to play decisively rather than cautiously.
That improvement was not accidental. It was the result of an offense designed to support the quarterback instead of exposing his weaknesses. That is quarterback development in practice.
Klint Kubiak did not arrive at this point by chance. He comes from one of the most respected offensive lineages in modern football.
His father, Gary Kubiak, was a Super Bowl-winning head coach and a foundational figure in the Shanahan-Kubiak system. Those offenses were built on balance, physicality, and protecting the quarterback.
Klint has adapted those principles to the modern NFL. His offenses are creative without being reckless and physical without being predictable. Most importantly, they are quarterback-friendly.
That philosophy aligns perfectly with what the Steelers need.
The Steelers do not just need a starting quarterback. They need a developmental plan.
Whether the future under center is Will Howard or another young passer yet to arrive, Pittsburgh needs a coach capable of developing quarterbacks within a system. Kubiak has demonstrated that ability.
Howard is a quarterback who thrives on timing, play action, and clear reads. Those traits align naturally with Kubiak’s offense. Instead of asking a young quarterback to carry the offense, Kubiak builds an offense that supports growth until the quarterback is ready to lead.
That infrastructure has been missing in Pittsburgh for too long.
Seattle’s improvement under Kubiak was not driven by fluke performances. The Seahawks made strides in early down efficiency, red zone execution, and situational football. Those areas tend to translate year to year.
Kubiak has established a run game that dictates defensive structure, play-action concepts that simplify reads, and protection schemes that limit negative plays. Those are coaching-driven outcomes.
Mike McCarthy deserves a fair opportunity. But as Seattle continues to build a sustainable offense under Klint Kubiak, Steelers fans will keep asking the same question.
Did the Steelers choose comfort over progress?
Because in today’s NFL, the most costly mistakes often happen long before kickoff.