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Pittsburgh Steelers hire Mike McCarthy as new head coach
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- Pittsburgh Steelers hire Mike McCarthy as new head coach
The Pittsburgh Steelers have found Mike Tomlin's replacement.
Former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy agreed to a deal with the organization to be the historic franchise's next head coach, according to multiple reports.
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McCarthy spent the 2025 season out of the NFL after parting ways with the Cowboys. The 62-year-old finished his five-year tenure in Dallas as the head coach with a 49-35 record. He went 1-3 in the postseason but also led the Cowboys to three consecutive 12-win seasons from 2021-23.
He compiled a 125-77-2 record in nearly 13 years in Green Bay , reaching the playoffs nine times and winning a Super Bowl in the 2010 season.
STEELERS: Why McCarthy could be the right Tomlin replacement
Aaron Rodgers played football at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California from 1998 to 2001. During his junior and senior seasons as starting quarterback, Rodgers amassed 4,419 passing yards while helping the Vikings to a 17-7 mark.
(Aaron Rodgers)
California Golden Bears quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to throw against USC at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Oct. 9, 2004.
(Peter Brouillet, USA TODAY Sports)
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, drafted 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers, poses with family and friends during the 2005 NFL draft at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on April 23, 2005.
(Chris Trotman, Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers' first round pick in the 2005 NFL draft, is introduced by GM Ted Thompson on April 24, 2005.
(USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis. via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on Nov. 29, 2007.
(Mark J. Rebilas, US PRESSWIRE)
Aaron Rodgers reacts after he threw a 7-yard touchdown to John Kuhn in the third quarter of the 2010 NFC divisional playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Jan. 15, 2011. Rodgers threw for three touchdowns and ran for a third in the Packers' 48-21 win.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers pumps his fist in the air celebrating the 2010 NFC championship game victory over the Chicago Bears on Jan. 23, 2011 at Soldier Field.
(PC Photo, The Post-Crescent)
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell presents the Super Bowl MVP trophy to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at a news conference on Feb. 7, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win Super Bowl XLV.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Aaron Rodgers celebrates the Super Bowl XLV title with Green Bay Packer fans during a Return to Titletown Celebration on Feb. 8, 2011 at Lambeau Field.
(Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
President Barack Obama receives a jersey from quarterback Aaron Rodgers (L) of the Green Bay Packers during a reception for the National Football League Super Bowl XLV champions on the south lawn of the White House on Aug. 12, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The Packers, lead by head coach Mike McCarthy, finished the 2010 season with a winning record of 10-6, and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win the championship.
(Mark Wilson, Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers leaves the field following the Green Bay Packers' 21-13 win against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field on Dec. 4, 2016.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers looks for an open receiver during the Green Bay Packers' game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Oct. 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won the game, 35-31.
(Tom Pennington, Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers plays during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Feb. 8, 2018.
(Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports)
Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodgers look on during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the first round of the 2019 NBA playoffs between the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 17, 2019. Rodgers has an ownership stake in the NBA team.
(Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports)
Aaron Rodgers is shown with back up quarterbacks Tim Boyle (left) and Jordan Love during the team's training camp in Green Bay, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2020.
(Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Aaron Rodgers served as guest host of "Jeopardy!" for two weeks from April 6-15, 2021.
(Carol Kaelson/Jeopardy Productions)
Aaron Rodgers celebrates his rushing touchdown during a 24-14 win against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Oct. 17, 2021.
(Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Aaron Rodgers stand arm in arm late in the fourth quarter of a 24-10 win against the Washington Football Team on Oct. 24, 2021, at Lambeau Field
(Dan Powers / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is lifted up by guard Lucas Patrick after breaking Brett Favre's franchise record for touchdown passes during a Christmas Day 2021 game against the Cleveland Browns.
(Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports)
Aaron Rodgers walks off the field with teammate Randall Cobb following a season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions on Jan, 8, 2023 at Lambeau Field.
(Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports)
Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets prior to the 2023 season after spending the first 18 years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers.
(Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports)
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is injured after a sack by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd during his first drive with the Jets on Sept. 11, 2023.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
Aaron Rodgers looks on from the sideline during the New York Jets' 30-0 loss against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) signs a fan’s helmet before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 15, 2024.
(Morgan Tencza, Imagn Images)
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and wide receiver Davante Adams (17) high-five each other as they walks off the field after a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 15, 2024.
(Corey Perrine, Florida Times-Union)
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws his 500th career touchdown pass in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
(Kevin R. Wexler, NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY Network)
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates his touchdown pass to New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.
(Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)
The ball used by New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for his 500th touchdown pass is seen on the sideline during the second quarter of the Jets game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.
(Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field with wide receiver Davante Adams (17) after a win against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbles as he is hit by the Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr. The Texans' Sheldon Rankins (90) returned the fumble for a touchdown as Houston went on to a 30-6 wild-card playoff win at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026.
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers played football at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California from 1998 to 2001. During his junior and senior seasons as starting quarterback, Rodgers amassed 4,419 passing yards while helping the Vikings to a 17-7 mark.
(Aaron Rodgers)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers played football at Pleasant Valley High School in Chico, California from 1998 to 2001. During his junior and senior seasons as starting quarterback, Rodgers amassed 4,419 passing yards while helping the Vikings to a 17-7 mark.
(Aaron Rodgers)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
California Golden Bears quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to throw against USC at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Oct. 9, 2004.
(Peter Brouillet, USA TODAY Sports)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, drafted 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers, poses with family and friends during the 2005 NFL draft at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on April 23, 2005.
(Chris Trotman, Getty Images)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers' first round pick in the 2005 NFL draft, is introduced by GM Ted Thompson on April 24, 2005.
(USA TODAY NETWORK-Wis. via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers drops back to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium on Nov. 29, 2007.
(Mark J. Rebilas, US PRESSWIRE)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers reacts after he threw a 7-yard touchdown to John Kuhn in the third quarter of the 2010 NFC divisional playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on Jan. 15, 2011. Rodgers threw for three touchdowns and ran for a third in the Packers' 48-21 win.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers pumps his fist in the air celebrating the 2010 NFC championship game victory over the Chicago Bears on Jan. 23, 2011 at Soldier Field.
(PC Photo, The Post-Crescent)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell presents the Super Bowl MVP trophy to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers at a news conference on Feb. 7, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win Super Bowl XLV.
(Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers celebrates the Super Bowl XLV title with Green Bay Packer fans during a Return to Titletown Celebration on Feb. 8, 2011 at Lambeau Field.
(Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
President Barack Obama receives a jersey from quarterback Aaron Rodgers (L) of the Green Bay Packers during a reception for the National Football League Super Bowl XLV champions on the south lawn of the White House on Aug. 12, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The Packers, lead by head coach Mike McCarthy, finished the 2010 season with a winning record of 10-6, and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 to win the championship.
(Mark Wilson, Getty Images)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers leaves the field following the Green Bay Packers' 21-13 win against the Houston Texans at Lambeau Field on Dec. 4, 2016.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers looks for an open receiver during the Green Bay Packers' game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Oct. 8, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Packers won the game, 35-31.
(Tom Pennington, Getty Images)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers plays during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Feb. 8, 2018.
(Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Danica Patrick and Aaron Rodgers look on during the fourth quarter of Game 2 of the first round of the 2019 NBA playoffs between the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on April 17, 2019. Rodgers has an ownership stake in the NBA team.
(Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers is shown with back up quarterbacks Tim Boyle (left) and Jordan Love during the team's training camp in Green Bay, Wis., on Aug. 24, 2020.
(Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers served as guest host of "Jeopardy!" for two weeks from April 6-15, 2021.
(Carol Kaelson/Jeopardy Productions)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers celebrates his rushing touchdown during a 24-14 win against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Oct. 17, 2021.
(Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Aaron Rodgers stand arm in arm late in the fourth quarter of a 24-10 win against the Washington Football Team on Oct. 24, 2021, at Lambeau Field
(Dan Powers / USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is lifted up by guard Lucas Patrick after breaking Brett Favre's franchise record for touchdown passes during a Christmas Day 2021 game against the Cleveland Browns.
(Benny Sieu, USA TODAY Sports)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers walks off the field with teammate Randall Cobb following a season-ending loss to the Detroit Lions on Jan, 8, 2023 at Lambeau Field.
(Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets prior to the 2023 season after spending the first 18 years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers.
(Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is injured after a sack by Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd during his first drive with the Jets on Sept. 11, 2023.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Aaron Rodgers looks on from the sideline during the New York Jets' 30-0 loss against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Dec. 17, 2023.
(Sam Navarro, USA TODAY Sports)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) signs a fan’s helmet before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 15, 2024.
(Morgan Tencza, Imagn Images)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and wide receiver Davante Adams (17) high-five each other as they walks off the field after a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars game at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, on Dec. 15, 2024.
(Corey Perrine, Florida Times-Union)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws his 500th career touchdown pass in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.
(Kevin R. Wexler, NorthJersey.com via USA TODAY Network)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) celebrates his touchdown pass to New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) (not pictured) during the fourth quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.
(Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
The ball used by New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers for his 500th touchdown pass is seen on the sideline during the second quarter of the Jets game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.
(Ed Mulholland, Imagn Images)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) walks off the field with wide receiver Davante Adams (17) after a win against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)
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Revisit Aaron Rodgers' NFL career as he announces 22nd season
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbles as he is hit by the Houston Texans' Will Anderson Jr. The Texans' Sheldon Rankins (90) returned the fumble for a touchdown as Houston went on to a 30-6 wild-card playoff win at Acrisure Stadium on Jan. 12, 2026.
McCarthy grew up in Pittsburgh and now has the chance to coach his childhood team. The former Super Bowl-winning coach brings 18 years of head coaching experience to the Steelers and stability in a time of uncertainty.
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Just two weeks ago, Mike Tomlin stepped down after 19 seasons as the Steelers' head coach, and many wondered in which direction the franchise would go. That question has been answered. McCarthy becomes the Steelers' fourth head coach since 1969 and is the second-oldest head coach in the NFL behind Andy Reid (67).
JARRETT BELL: Mike Tomlin leaves Pittsburgh as he entered, with dignity
McCarthy interviewed with the team in person on Wednesday, Nov. 21, according to multiple reports, and also spoke with the Tennessee Titans about their vacancy before withdrawing from consideration.
He inherits a team with 11 picks in the 2026 draft, and a quarterback room consisting of Mason Rudolph and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard .
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Some will wonder if Aaron Rodgers will return to the Steelers after his one-year contract expires. Rodgers and McCarthy spent 13 seasons (2006-18) together in Green Bay. Before leaving the New York Jets two years ago, the 42-year-old quarterback said that McCarthy would be one of the few coaches he'd want to play for . Time will tell if McCarthy's hiring will lure Rodgers back to the Steelers in 2026.
The Steelers also conducted interviews with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, among several others: Ejiro Evero, Jeff Hafley (hired by the Dolphins as head coach), Klay Kubiak, Jesse Minter (hired by the Ravens as head coach), Nate Scheelhaase, Chris Shula, and Anthony Weaver.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steelers hire Mike McCarthy as head coach after Mike Tomlin
