Mike Tomlin’s departure gave the Pittsburgh Steelers a rare chance to reset everything, but Sports Illustrated believes their decision to run it back could haunt them. Aaron Rodgers remains at quarterback, much of last year’s roster remains intact, and Mike McCarthy has arrived to reunite with his former Green Bay Packers quarterback.
Pittsburgh was never going to announce a rebuild. This organization could trade every veteran, start a rookie quarterback and sell the practice facility furniture, yet Art Rooney II would probably call it a competitive retooling. The roster hasn’t been ignored, either. The Steelers have quietly turned over significant portions of it during the past few offseasons.
Rodgers complicates that argument because bringing him back delays the quarterback search for another year. He’s a short-term solution attached to a roster that isn’t quite ready to contend and isn’t bad enough to bottom out. That familiar middle ground has frustrated Steelers fans for years, but one more season there shouldn’t wreck the franchise.
Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers are just bridges for the Pittsburgh Steelers
McCarthy’s five-year contract looks much more permanent than his actual role. At 62, he doesn’t look built for another decade-long grind, and he spent a year away from coaching after failing to secure an extension with the Dallas Cowboys. If Pittsburgh hadn’t called, there’s a good chance he wouldn’t be coaching anywhere right now.
McCarthy becoming the fourth Steelers head coach in nearly 40 years also ends the franchise’s remarkable run of long-term succession plans. Everyone knew Tomlin’s replacement would face enormous pressure, but hiring a veteran bridge makes another coaching search feel much closer. Pittsburgh could be introducing its next long-term coach before McCarthy gets anywhere near Year 5.
A young offensive coordinator would’ve been my preference after Tomlin stepped down. The Steelers desperately need modern concepts, creative personnel usage, and an offense with more imagination than another third-down checkdown. McCarthy brings experience and credibility, though neither automatically supplies the fresh football ideas Pittsburgh lacked late in the Tomlin era.
Rodgers returning probably wasn’t the best choice, but haunting feels excessive. Pittsburgh didn’t surrender a pile of premium draft picks or hand him a contract capable of poisoning the salary cap for years. The Steelers chose temporary stability while continuing to reshape the roster, and fans can support the season without pretending the plan is brilliant.
One thing is for certain: it’ll be interesting to see what unfolds when Rodgers and McCarthy share a sideline for the first time since their Green Bay split eight years ago.
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