2026 Steelers thread

If Rodgers retires, that ain't on the new coach and then he did not inherit a playoff caliber er team

Again u make an assumption based on last year's roster Originally Posted by oldman2525

Fair enough. But if Rodgers comes back, I expect McCarthy to win a playoff game before I call him an upgrade. If not, more of the same.

To put it in perspective, McCarthy is a year older now than Chuck Noll was when he retired. A very un-Steelers like hire, and I'm not cutting him any slack for being "the new guy". He needs to win immediately or this was a bust.

Fair enough. But if Rodgers comes back, I expect McCarthy to win a playoff game before I call him an upgrade. If not, more of the same.

To put it in perspective, McCarthy is a year older now than Chuck Noll was when ylhe retired. A very un-Steelers like hire, and I'm not cutting the guy any slack for being "the new guy". He needs to win immediately or this was a bust. Originally Posted by jayzee43

Not really, he needs to identify and develop the next QB first. No more merry go round with old QBs. You might sneak into the playoffs with Rodgers, but that doesn’t solve the QB problem. The prospects for a franchise QB are pretty slim this year.

I hope I'm wrong and I'll be the first to admit if I was, but I think it's a dopey, rushed hire based on a feel good story and nostalgia. Not unlike drafting Kenny Pickett because he was "a Pitt guy".

They could've waited and checked out another dozen or so candidates before settling on someone.

I hope I'm wrong and I'll be the first to admit if I was, but I think it's a dopey, rushed hire based on a feel good story and nostalgia. Not unlike drafting Kenny Pickett because he was "a Pitt guy".

They could've waited and checked out another dozen or so candidates before settling on someone. Originally Posted by jayzee43

I guess the hot shots from the Rams were passed over by everyone looking for a coach. The Giants snapped up Harbaugh quickly. Was that a great move? Falcons same with Stafanski. They didn’t waste time. Saleh was a bust in NY, Tennessee hired him. Is Minter a home run in Baltimore? Who knows. Hafley in Miami? Did he move you? I think Rooney just wasn’t impressed with the people they interviewed. Out of the bunch, McCarthy had the best resume. Especially working with QBs. I think Rooney put more stock in that rather than he’s a Pittsburgh guy. If that was the case, they would’ve hire Grimm over Tomlin.

Fair enough. But if Rodgers comes back, I expect McCarthy to win a playoff game before I call him an upgrade. If not, more of the same.

To put it in perspective, McCarthy is a year older now than Chuck Noll was when he retired. A very un-Steelers like hire, and I'm not cutting him any slack for being "the new guy". He needs to win immediately or this was a bust. Originally Posted by jayzee43

i dont think the age thing really matters that much, dick labeau was 66 when he came back to be dc in 2004 and was considered the best in the biz during his last stint with the black and gold

I think its more of who mike surrounds himself with (coaching staff)

tomlin sucked at hirng good asst coaches. he had great ones handed to him when he started and other than todd haley ( who dan rooney insisted on), tomlin hired sub par coaches


I do agree, anything less than a playoff win or two is more of the same.

i dont think the age thing really matters that much, dick labeau was 66 when he came back to be dc in 2004 and was considered the best in the biz during his last stint with the black and gold

I think its more of who mike surrounds himself with (coaching staff)

tomlin sucked at hirng good asst coaches. he had great ones handed to him when he started and other than todd haley ( who dan rooney insisted on), tomlin hired sub par coaches


I do agree, anything less than a playoff win or two is more of the same. Originally Posted by oldman2525

I’d rather see them go 6/11. They’re not ready to make a deep playoff run now. Unless something miraculous happens.

i dont think the age thing really matters that much, dick labeau was 66 when he came back to be dc in 2004 and was considered the best in the biz during his last stint with the black and gold

I think its more of who mike surrounds himself with (coaching staff)

tomlin sucked at hirng good asst coaches. he had great ones handed to him when he started and other than todd haley ( who dan rooney insisted on), tomlin hired sub par coaches


I do agree, anything less than a playoff win or two is more of the same. Originally Posted by oldman2525

Funny you mention Todd Haley. I remember, clear as a bell, tons of yinzers wanting him fired. It was the best offense in Steelers history, at least from a statistical standpoint, and "Steeler Nation" was screaming for his job. He got unfairly pushed out, imo. The organization caved to the fans on that one. Like they did when they drafted Pickett. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

I hope I'm wrong about McCarthy. I don't want to see him fail. I just have a feeling he will. Today's NFL is a different beast than when McCarthy had his success. I'd much rather the team had sought out a sharp, young guy with an ability to adapt.

Funny you mention Todd Haley. I remember, clear as a bell, tons of yinzers wanting him fired. It was the best offense in Steelers history, at least from a statistical standpoint, and "Steeler Nation" was screaming for his job. He got unfairly pushed out, imo. The organization caved to the fans on that one. Like they did when they drafted Pickett. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.

I hope I'm wrong about McCarthy. I don't want to see him fail. I just have a feeling he will. Today's NFL is a different beast than when McCarthy had his success. I'd much rather the team had sought out a sharp, young guy with an ability to adapt. Originally Posted by jayzee43

Ben got Haley fired, not the fans. Tomlin promoted Fiechtner, Ben’s buddy. While the Steelers offense was successful under Haley, they didn’t reach the SB with the Bs. Plus, Haley and his wife became PR problems for the Rooneys. Some questionable behavior.