With 18 years of experience as an NFL head coach with the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, Mike McCarthy is bringing a well-established reputation to his new role with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports and the NFL Network shared his thoughts on what Steelers fans can expect from McCarthy during an appearance on Steelers Nation Radio.
“McCarthy has actually gotten, I don’t want to say underrated but he’s actually a better play-caller and a play-designer than maybe he gets credit for, he’s good,” Tice said.
Tice described McCarthy’s offensive approach as traditional West Coast. “It’s as traditional West Coast as it gets,” he said. He added that fans should expect “a lot of quick passing game.” If Aaron Rodgers is at quarterback, Tice noted that Rodgers would have more freedom to make quick reads and decisions, especially involving wide receiver DK Metcalf. “McCarthy is going to give (Rodgers) that freedom. It’s going to be a lot more ‘gun’ (shotgun formation) heavy. It’s going to be a lot more plays (called) at the line.”
According to Tice, McCarthy’s offense has evolved based on Rodgers’ preferences, making it likely to function more cohesively by default.
Regarding the running game, Tice said it serves as a complement in McCarthy’s system: “It’s West Coast, it’s pass to set up the run. It’s going to be more horizontally attacking. And then the run game is going to be more spread-look running.” He also expects the Steelers will use formations featuring multiple wide receivers rather than multiple tight ends, consistent with how McCarthy operated in both Green Bay and Dallas.
At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt spoke about his impressions of the Steelers organization and his meeting with McCarthy. Sarratt began his college career at St. Francis in Loretto, Pennsylvania before transferring first to James Madison and then Indiana.
“Man, the Steelers, they’re a great organization, legendary organization. I’ve been watching them since I was a kid. I feel like it would be a great fit for me. They got a great culture going over there, and I would be excited playing for them,” Sarratt said.
He continued about meeting with McCarthy: “Man, it was great, I’ve heard about Mike McCarthy since he was coaching Aaron Rodgers (in Green Bay) and doing his thing, he’s a Super Bowl champion. So to be in front of him, just sitting there talking to him, it’s very great.”
On potentially playing alongside Rodgers: “Yeah, it’ll be amazing. Aaron Rodgers, he’s a dog, he’s a goat, he’s a Hall-of-Famer. I’ve been watching him since I was little. So it’ll be amazing to just be with someone like that on the field and soak up the knowledge that he has.”
Sarratt also referenced studying back-shoulder catches made by Rodgers and Devontae Adams: “Throughout the season, I sent (Indiana quarterback) Fernando (Mendoza) clips of Aaron Rodgers and (wide receiver) Devontae Adams when they used to do it… But the back-shoulders, I compete all the time now… So anytime I see one, I’m like ‘Okay,’ I can put that into my game because that’s one of my strengths.”
At this year’s Combine events:
– Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles Jr.’s 4.27-second 40-yard dash was fastest among defensive players at this Combine and marked ninth-fastest overall since 2003.
– Other safeties posting sub-4.36 times included Robert Spears-Jennings (Oklahoma), Treydan Stukes (Arizona), and Dillon Theieneman (Oregon).
– Missouri cornerback Toriano Pride Jr.’s 4.32-second time led all cornerbacks.
– Average 40-yard dash times for defensive linemen (4.83 seconds), linebackers (4.55), defensive backs (4.44), and tight ends (4.63) were each fastest recorded at any Combine since 2003.
– Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq became only the sixth player since 2003—at over 240 pounds—to run under 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash while posting a vertical leap above 43 inches.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are recognized for their long-standing history within professional football as members of the National Football League. The team has celebrated six Super Bowl championships throughout its history (official website). Honoring notable figures such as Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene through their Hall of Honor (official website), they also engage fans through historical celebrations (official website) and display artifacts at their Hall of Honor Museum located inside Acrisure Stadium (official website).
