Steelers reach agreement to hire Mike McCarthy as head coach as Aaron Rodgers’ future remains unclear

The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached a verbal agreement to hire Mike McCarthy as their next head coach, turning to a veteran Super Bowl winner as the franchise begins a new era on the sideline. McCarthy is set to replace Mike Tomlin, who stepped aside after 19 seasons in charge. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/01/24/mike-mccarthy-steelers/))

McCarthy’s résumé is unusually deep for a team that historically prioritizes stability. He won a Super Bowl as head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 2010 season and has compiled a long regular-season track record over nearly two decades as an NFL head coach. Pittsburgh’s decision signals an emphasis on experience and an immediate push to reset its postseason fortunes. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/01/24/mike-mccarthy-steelers/))

But the hire does not settle the biggest roster question: quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ future. Rodgers, 42, is eligible for unrestricted free agency after a one-year deal and has not publicly committed to continuing his career. While he and McCarthy once won together in Green Bay, team officials and people familiar with the deliberations have indicated the Rodgers decision remains separate from the coaching move. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/01/24/mike-mccarthy-steelers/))

The coaching change also arrives amid a hectic league-wide cycle. Multiple teams are reshuffling head coaches, and Pittsburgh’s choice—rare for a franchise known for continuity—underscores how aggressively it wants to break a postseason drought. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and the new staff will be judged quickly on whether it can modernize the offense, improve situational football, and stabilize the quarterback plan. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/01/24/mike-mccarthy-steelers/))

In the coming weeks, roster construction will define how the McCarthy era is received. If Rodgers returns, the Steelers could build around a short-term championship window. If he retires or departs, Pittsburgh will face a different challenge: constructing an offense that can win in January with a new quarterback, a new system, and a fan base that expects contention as the standard. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2026/01/24/mike-mccarthy-steelers/))