Former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is considered a strong candidate for the Pittsburgh Steelers ' vacant head coach position. McCarthy, who's a Pittsburgh native, will interview for the position on Wednesday.
McCarthy, 62, currently has the second-best odds to get the Steelers' head coaching job, behind only Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula.
Connor Hughes of SNY shared a key detail that could sway the Steelers' decision in hiring McCarthy, especially if they plan on running it back with 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers .
"I remember talking to Aaron Rodgers in the locker room toward the end of his tenure with the # Jets . Mentioned "wherever Mike McCarthy ends up" as a potential landing spot. Sure sounds like McCarthy is headed to the #Steelers . Wonder if that gets Rodgers back for another year," Hughes wrote on X.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter of ESPN , Steelers players want Rodgers back next season .
"The Pittsburgh Steelers remain open to an Aaron Rodgers reunion in 2026, even though it's unlikely because of Mike Tomlin's resignation, sources told ESPN," Schefter wrote. "The Steelers players are more than open to Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh; they want the four-time league MVP back and conveyed as much to various members of the Steelers organization during their exit meetings last week, according to sources.
"Almost all Steelers players praised Rodgers during their exit interviews, and most if not all of them want the veteran quarterback to return in 2026. His support among players was universal, and those around the organization pointed out how beloved and respected Rodgers was there."
McCarthy is the third to get an in-person interview. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores is interviewing with the team on Tuesday and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is also expected to interview. Five others remain viable candidates, and could join that list of in-person interviews, and the Steelers could also increase the list of initial candidates.
McCarthy did not coach in the NFL in 2025, taking the year off after the Cowboys let his contract expire at the end of the 2024 season.
Rodgers and McCarthy spent 13 years together in Green Bay , and his former coach was a big reason that Rodgers considered Pittsburgh in the first place.
"I feel like Pittsburgh has been a part of my career from the beginning, playing for Mike McCarthy for 13 years, having Tommy Clements as my quarterback coach forever, Dom Capers, Kevin Greene, Darren Perry, Ben McAdoo, Frank Cignetti, Luke Getsy — I don't want to forget anybody, but a lot of Yinzers in my life," Rodgers said during his introductory press conference in Pittsburgh last June.
McCarthy also interviewed for, but did not get the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans head coaching jobs.
Alan Saunders contributed.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Are Aaron Rodgers' Future, Steelers Coaching Search Connected?
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