Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stepped into a new role Thursday night, making his first appearance as a studio analyst for NBC Sports during the network’s broadcast of the NFL Hall of Fame Game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals.
As the broadcast team turned to several storylines heading into the 2026 season, conversation naturally shifted to the Steelers and their new head coach. Mike McCarthy, a Super Bowl winner in his own right, is now leading the franchise after Tomlin’s mutual departure months earlier.
Tomlin did not hold back when asked for his thoughts on the coaching change.
“You know I know a little bit about the Steelers’ situation, to say the least. Mike’s perfect for them and they’re perfect for Mike,” Tomlin said.
He went on to highlight McCarthy’s local roots and professional background.
“Certainly being a Pittsburgh native, he understands the standard that is Pittsburgh, and he’ll embrace that. His coaching experience will also allow him to manage that.”
Tomlin continued praising the incoming coach’s track record.
“He’s got an awesome resume, obviously. The confetti’s rained down on him before with his current quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and there’s no substitute for shared success. Those waters run deep,” he said.
He finished his assessment on an optimistic note.
“He’s positioned to do well. Certainly there’s some challenges when you come into a new situation but boy there’s a lot to like about continuity in this new experience for him.”
McCarthy arrives in Pittsburgh after four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 to 2024. Before that, he spent more than a decade as head coach of the Green Bay Packers, a stretch that overlapped with Aaron Rodgers developing into one of the league’s premier quarterbacks.
That Packers tenure included a Super Bowl victory following the 2010 season, when Rodgers and McCarthy teamed up to bring a championship to Green Bay. Many around the league see the reunion of the two men in Pittsburgh as a potential boost for a franchise looking to climb higher in a competitive AFC.
McCarthy was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, giving him an immediate connection to the city and its football culture. His career record stands at 174 wins, 112 losses and two ties, along with an 11-11 mark in the playoffs. Those numbers reflect steady success over a long coaching career.
This season marks McCarthy’s first with the Steelers and is widely expected to be Rodgers’ final year in the NFL. The veteran quarterback has made clear he intends to retire once the campaign ends, presenting McCarthy with a significant transition in his second season when a proven signal-caller may no longer be on the roster.
Expectations for the Steelers this year remain measured given the strength of other AFC contenders. Still, McCarthy will be tasked with guiding the team back to the postseason, a standard Tomlin met in 13 of his 19 seasons leading the club.
The Steelers open their preseason schedule on Thursday, Aug. 13, against the Packers, McCarthy’s former team. Their regular-season home opener is set for Sunday, Sept. 13, when they host the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium.
