Super Bowl LX is the biggest game of the year, and for Mike McCarthy and the Pittsburgh Steelers, it doubles as a potential lesson. While the rest of the league watches for entertainment, McCarthy will be watching with intent. On the sideline across from the Seattle Seahawks stands Mike Vrabel, leading the New England Patriots with second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Enjoying the spectacle is fine, but the real objective in Pittsburgh is to emulate the result.
And the blueprint is right there.
Vrabel’s first season in New England was nothing short of remarkable. A franchise that finished last in 2024 flipped the script entirely, racing to a 14–3 record and first place in the AFC North. The Patriots didn’t stumble into success. They built it deliberately, and at the center of it all was Drake Maye. The second-year quarterback didn’t just survive — he thrived — because the organization chose to invest in his growth from day one.
New England didn’t chase flashy headlines. Instead, they made calculated, purposeful additions. Stefon Diggs arrived to give Maye a true No. 1 receiver. Mack Hollins brought physicality and versatility. Up front, Garrett Bradbury and Morgan Moses stabilized the offensive line. None of these moves screamed “blockbuster,” but together they created something far more valuable: structure, protection, and confidence. The Patriots built an ecosystem that allowed their young quarterback to grow without being overwhelmed.
That’s the lesson McCarthy can’t afford to ignore.
The Steelers took a different route last offseason. Yes, Pittsburgh made moves. DK Metcalf and Jonnu Smith were meaningful offensive additions to the offense. But those acquisitions weren’t made with the future in mind. They were made to maximize a present that revolved around Aaron Rodgers. Will Howard, the quarterback McCarthy may soon be tasked with developing, wasn’t the focal point. The roster wasn’t shaped to accentuate his strengths or insulate his weaknesses.
Mike McCarthy must follow Mike Vrabel's plan and attempt to make Will Howard the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise QB
And now, that choice looms large.
Rodgers’ future is uncertain. Howard is the next man up. Yet the offense around him is unfinished. The Steelers lack depth at the skill positions, and offensive line depth remains a question mark — the same issue that lingered last offseason. Pittsburgh’s front office had other priorities then. The results speak for themselves.
This is where McCarthy’s experience matters most.
He’s seen this story before. He’s lived it. McCarthy has developed quarterbacks at every stage of their careers, and watching Vrabel’s approach only reinforces what he already knows: young quarterbacks don’t rise on talent alone. They rise when an organization commits to them fully. When every offseason decision points in the same direction.
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Howard doesn’t need a superstar roster. Maye didn’t have one either. What he needs is intention. A line built to keep him upright. Receivers who fit his timing and tendencies. A scheme that grows with him instead of overwhelming him. That’s how New England turned a last-place team into a Super Bowl contender in one season.
Of course, context matters. Strength of schedule, injury luck, and in-game execution all play their roles. But diligence can’t be ignored. The Patriots didn’t wait for Maye to “prove it” before helping him. They helped him first — and the payoff is a trip to Super Bowl LX.
If that’s the difference between watching the Super Bowl and playing in it, then McCarthy has his answer. The blueprint is already drawn. The question now is whether Pittsburgh is willing to follow it.