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Moving forward with McCarthy

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SteelerFan448

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Now that McCarthy is the head coach, I want to start to look at the offseason. I posted this in another thread, only looking at his time in Dallas. Beyond 2020 is getting too far to examine his resume.


Dallas 2020-2024
49-35
3 12-win seasons
2 NFC East championships
3 playoff appearances
1-3 playoff record
In 2020, the Cowboys finished 6-10 with Dak only playing 5 games. Dallas was 7-10 in 2024 with Dak starting 8 games (3-5). Unlike Tomlin, McCarthy hasn’t shown he can drag poor QB play to winning records. Overall, Dallas was competitive(sort of) in playoff games, but slow starts (we’re familiar with that) doomed them:

2021 L 17-23 vs. 49ers – went down 23-7 before coming back in the 4th quarter

2022 W 31-14 vs. Tampa Bay – dominated including going up 18-0 at halftime

2022 L 12-19 vs. 49ers – the game was 9-9 in the 4th quarter, a Tomlin game kicking FGs only

2023 L 32-48 vs. Packers – slow start down 27-7, Packers took it to them


Offensive | Defensive Ranks by year Points (yards)
2020 17 (14) | 28 (23)
2021 1 (1) | 7 (19)
2022 4 (11) | 5 (12)
2023 1 (5) | 5 (5)
2024 21 (17) | 31 (28)

Overall, McCarthy’s offenses have performed well with a QB in place. No QB, it looks bad, but was better than the Steelers with the exception of the past two season where it has been on par. Mixed results with defense overall with the upside of a very good scoring defense.

Coordinators with Dallas during McCarthy's Tenure
2020-22 OC Kellen Moore
2023-24 OC Brian Schottenheimer
Moore is currently the Saints head coach; Schottenheimer is the Cowboys head coach

2020 DC Mike Nolan
2021-23 DC Dan Quinn
2024 DC Mike Zimmer
Nolan and Zimmer were former head coaches; Quinn is currently the Commanders head coach

McCarthy has a larger coaching tree from his time in Dallas than Tomlin in his entire career. Every coordinator either currently is or was a head coach. Various levels of success from each, but hard to argue many of the hires.
 
The offense needs built and it has to be at QB. While we all wanted a complete restart to modernize the process, it’s apparent the Steelers are going with the Sean Payton model in Denver, where the Broncos still have a dominant defense and reached on a QB who’s developed into good enough to win. The only major change I see is cutting Jonnu Smith now that Arthur Smith isn’t here anymore.

Denver hired Payton in 2023 and they tried Russell Wilson for a year only to finish 8-9. They swallowed the cap hit and selected Bo Nix 12th overall. He was very experienced in college with 5 years of starting experience. His time in Auburn wasn’t particularly good before he exploded in Oregon. Even so, he was only a 2nd-round prospect who the Broncos reached on and it worked out.

Potential Lineup:
QB – Rudolph/Howard
RB – Warren/Johnson
WR – Metcalf
WR - ?
WR - ?
TE – Freiermuth/Washington
LT – Jones/Cook
LG - ?
C – Frazier
RG – McCormick
RT – Fautanu

The Steelers are pretty set at OL and can find at LG in FA or in the draft. I don’t think they’ll draft one early and instead try to find one in the middle rounds like they did with McCormick. I like Parker from Duke in that spot right now. Otherwise, sign a mid-tier free agent to fill the spot.

Wide receiver is a massive hole. Austin is a free agent and while we hope Wilson can step in and fill the void at WR3, who knows The WR market is thin, so I’d expect the Steelers to hit the free agent market early. The draft will be the focus:

First round prospects:
Carnell Tate – possibly the first WR off the board

Jordyn Tyson – injuries may push him down the board; compared to CeeDee Lamb

Makai Lemon – the last of the top prospects, exact type of WR the Steelers need, maybe use a third to trade up?

Denzel Boston – has size, too similar style to Metcalf?

KC Concepcion – playmaker once the ball is in his hands



The rest:
Chris Bell – talented, but torn ACL

Chris Brazzell – huge at 6’5”

Elijah Sarratt – very good all season, a couple of tough drops in championship game, also potentially slow

Germie Bernard – dependable WR for Alabama

Antonio Williams – highly rated ahead of the season and fell down draft boards

Ja’Kobi Lane – another 6’4” receiver

Malachi Fields – big and made some very nice catches for Notre Dame

Omar Cooper Jr. – playmaker for Indiana…I’m intrigued

Skyler Bell – smaller receiver, but talented, could be a sleeper

Zachariah Branch – another small receiver who is moving up draft boards


The big question is at QB. There aren’t many available.

UFAs: Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, Malik Willis, Daniel Jones, Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor, Zach Wilson, Jimmy Garoppolo…yeah, that’s enough to get the ideas

Trade Target: Mac Jones – former first rounder who performed relatively well in San Francisco

The draft: I know we’ve already heard about next year already. Next year is Arch Manning and Julian Sayin, then the rest of the guys who we decided weren’t good enough this year, so who knows as experience can help or hurt.

Ty Simpson – his best film was excellent, his worst reminded me of Kenny Pickett; lack of experience is concerning

Garrett Nussmeier – I read McCarthy coached with his dad, you know how the Steelers love nepotism

Carson Beck – tools are good enough, way too many INTs

Cade Klubnik – always hear how good he could be, never see it. Experience off the charts, production is meh. Maybe an offseason riser

Drew Allar – zero clutch factor, but showed improvement with relative poor coaching (at least that’s what I gathered)

Would love some more info on Simpson (Berm) and Allar (Tape).
 
The defense was an area where I though we’d see some roster turnover. Not anymore. They’re running it back with maybe a few adjustments unless the vets force their way out.


Potential Lineup:
DL – Cam Heyward
DL – Derrick Harmon
DL – Keeanu Benton
EDGE – TJ Watt
EDGE – Alex Highsmith
EDGE – Nick Herbig
ILB – Patrick Queen
ILB – Payton Wilson
CB – Joey Porter Jr.
CB - ?
CB – Brandon Echols
S – DeShon Elliott
S - ?

I didn’t put Ramsey in there because I don’t know if the plan is to use him as a versatile piece, CB, or S.

I could see the Steelers investing a lot on the defensive side of the ball in the draft.

They’ll look to add one more potential starter to the mix with Heyward near the end of his career in Pittsburgh. Maybe Cam will get released, we’ll see.

DL:
Peter Woods – I’ve seen him slip in some mocks despite being one of the top-rated DL

Kayden McDonald – almost always available and plays at a football factor OSU

Christen Miller – Georgia DL always catch your attention

Lee Hunter – the TTU DL impressed me during the CFP opening round

Darrell Jackson – massive DL from FSU

Dontay Corleone – shorter DL with an awesome name, midround prospect with upside

Zane Durant – another midround prospect

Domonique Orange – I’ve seen good things written about his potential

You’d think the Steelers are set with Queen and Wilson then just add a thumper, there are some good ILBs

LB:
Sonny Styles – very talented and could fall

Josiah Trotter – later in the draft, a potential option

The Steelers could try to find another starting CB and they do have a major need at safety

DBs:
Caleb Downs S – absolute stud

Avion Terrell CB – terrific athlete and right in the Steelers range

Colton Hood CB – good size and speed, will be a popular CB mocked to Pittsburgh

Kamari Ramsey S – versatile player who could play safety or nickel and 2nd round prospect

Dillon Thieneman S – known for his top football IQ and willingness to tackle

Brandon Cisse CB – ideal size and speed, upside player

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S – big safety at 6’2” can match up with tight ends
 
maybe bring in Mike McDaniel at OC and ...

viewing the defensive stats for the past season, the Saints (yes, the Saints) had a formidable pass defense giving up just 179.2 yards per game
their "defensive pass game coordinator" is Terry Joseph. maybe he'd be inclined for a promotion to DC?
 
Names I've seen suggested by Pelissero for the coaching staff:

DC - Patrick Graham
He's highly thought of, though the results haven't matched. He's only had a defense finish in the top 10 in points twice, never in yards allowed. Maybe advanced stats rate his defenses better. Either that or maybe he just keeps taking bad jobs with teams that don't have any talent.

OC - Ben McAdoo
A former head coach, he surprisingly only has 5 years as an OC or HC. Two good years as OC with NY, a bad experience as HC and one bad year in Carolina as OC.

OL - James Campen
Experience in Green Bay, Cleveland, LA, Houston, and Carolina. He coached 7 Pro Bowl linemen while in Green Bay.

ST - Jon Fassel
While his name was mentioned, I read he would be staying in Tennessee.

ST - Bubba Ventrone
Browns fans seem to hate him, not sure if that is a good or bad thing.
 
I think Brazzell was on the high drop list we want to stay clear of those types..
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Names I've seen suggested by Pelissero for the coaching staff:

DC - Patrick Graham
He's highly thought of, though the results haven't matched. He's only had a defense finish in the top 10 in points twice, never in yards allowed. Maybe advanced stats rate his defenses better. Either that or maybe he just keeps taking bad jobs with teams that don't have any talent.

OC - Ben McAdoo
A former head coach, he surprisingly only has 5 years as an OC or HC. Two good years as OC with NY, a bad experience as HC and one bad year in Carolina as OC.

OL - James Campen
Experience in Green Bay, Cleveland, LA, Houston, and Carolina. He coached 7 Pro Bowl linemen while in Green Bay.

ST - Jon Fassel
While his name was mentioned, I read he would be staying in Tennessee.

ST - Bubba Ventrone
Browns fans seem to hate him, not sure if that is a good or bad thing.
Click to expand...

Wow that’s a who’s who of guys I couldn’t gaf about 🤣

I’d assume Campen is an upgrade from Meyer as it would be hard to get worse, but that list is beyond unimpressive
 
SteelerFan448 said:
The defense was an area where I though we’d see some roster turnover. Not anymore. They’re running it back with maybe a few adjustments unless the vets force their way out.


Potential Lineup:
DL – Cam Heyward
DL – Derrick Harmon
DL – Keeanu Benton
EDGE – TJ Watt
EDGE – Alex Highsmith
EDGE – Nick Herbig
ILB – Patrick Queen
ILB – Payton Wilson
CB – Joey Porter Jr.
CB - ?
CB – Brandon Echols
S – DeShon Elliott
S - ?

I didn’t put Ramsey in there because I don’t know if the plan is to use him as a versatile piece, CB, or S.

I could see the Steelers investing a lot on the defensive side of the ball in the draft.

They’ll look to add one more potential starter to the mix with Heyward near the end of his career in Pittsburgh. Maybe Cam will get released, we’ll see.

DL:
Peter Woods – I’ve seen him slip in some mocks despite being one of the top-rated DL

Kayden McDonald – almost always available and plays at a football factor OSU

Christen Miller – Georgia DL always catch your attention

Lee Hunter – the TTU DL impressed me during the CFP opening round

Darrell Jackson – massive DL from FSU

Dontay Corleone – shorter DL with an awesome name, midround prospect with upside

Zane Durant – another midround prospect

Domonique Orange – I’ve seen good things written about his potential

You’d think the Steelers are set with Queen and Wilson then just add a thumper, there are some good ILBs

LB:
Sonny Styles – very talented and could fall

Josiah Trotter – later in the draft, a potential option

The Steelers could try to find another starting CB and they do have a major need at safety

DBs:
Caleb Downs S – absolute stud

Avion Terrell CB – terrific athlete and right in the Steelers range

Colton Hood CB – good size and speed, will be a popular CB mocked to Pittsburgh

Kamari Ramsey S – versatile player who could play safety or nickel and 2nd round prospect

Dillon Thieneman S – known for his top football IQ and willingness to tackle

Brandon Cisse CB – ideal size and speed, upside player

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S – big safety at 6’2” can match up with tight ends
Click to expand...

Davison Igbinosun from Ohio St. is a lockdown CB. Got flagged a lot in 2024 but cleaned that up in 2025. Pair him with Porter and the No Fly Zone is....closed for business.
 
Again, people seem to think a great purge of the roster is coming... but thats not what Rooney said, and not what this move is a harbinger for... they are gonna reload and try again.. so I am expecting mist of the guys from last year with a few tweaks.. I think it will be the same QBs, one or two new WRs, i think the oline will be the same or mostly the same, I think Gainwell
May leave, but there isnt gonna be a big move at RB

Like honestly, they probably are gonna be reupping their own FA's and maybe adding Aiyuk or something..

I think people expecting major trades or more than one or two FA adds are fooling themselves
 
madinsomniac said:
Again, people seem to think a great purge of the roster is coming... but thats not what Rooney said, and not what this move is a harbinger for... they are gonna reload and try again.. so I am expecting mist of the guys from last year with a few tweaks.. I think it will be the same QBs, one or two new WRs, i think the oline will be the same or mostly the same, I think Gainwell
May leave, but there isnt gonna be a big move at RB

Like honestly, they probably are gonna be reupping their own FA's and maybe adding Aiyuk or something..

I think people expecting major trades or more than one or two FA adds are fooling themselves
Click to expand...
If it is business as usual then we should expect more than two free agents and a major trade. As both just happened this season..
 
After this settling in. I am go9d with the hire. He is old. Not going to be around forever unlike Tomlin.
He is great at developing and working with QBs. We need a QB.

He is offensive minded which is what the league is and has been.
He could take the same players we had last year and put them in positions to do better.
He will hire a DC that might actually use our people to thier strengths. At the minimum change.
We will not know what is happening on off and Def before the snap any longer.

I am optimistic for the 2026 season.
 
This hire is a joke. Sorry that my fellow Steeler fans are folding and accepting it. Rooney should be held to task. Steeler fans should voice their disapproval loud and clear.
 
IrishDave said:
This hire is a joke. Sorry that my fellow Steeler fans are folding and accepting it. Rooney should be held to task. Steeler fans should voice their disapproval loud and clear.
Click to expand...
Oh there is more against it than for it.

Hopefully the ones for it are right and I am wrong.
 
Djfan said:
I was not for it, but I am for the Steelers. Let's go Mike!
Click to expand...
Very true and I am for what is best for the Steelers in the process.

As I have said plenty of times when I am against something even when I am against it strongly I hope to be wrong. If I am wrong that means it is good for the team.

He will get his chance with the fanbase I am sure. As I will of course follow suit.

My want for a new owner has increased regardless.
 
slashsteel said:
Oh there is more against it than for it.

Hopefully the ones for it are right and I am wrong.
Click to expand...
IrishDave said:
This hire is a joke. Sorry that my fellow Steeler fans are folding and accepting it. Rooney should be held to task. Steeler fans should voice their disapproval loud and clear.
Click to expand...
I'm not "for" it necessarily but what the hell do we know as fans sitting on the outside looking in? I believe most fans wanted the young, fresh, and innovative face on the sideline rather than an old, slightly more successful version of Tomlin. But is that what is best for the Steelers right now? Only Art Rooney and the rest of the board know that they're setting the direction, I believe.....I hope. I have little faith in Art's abilities to build a championship team like his father but I'll sit here and wait to see what the Steelers do this upcoming season.
 
McCarthy is viewed as an old fuddy duddy. Any younger coach is viewed as innovative. Rooney values the experience over youthful exuberance. I hope Mccarthy can put together a winner.
 
Djfan said:
I was not for it, but I am for the Steelers. Let's go Mike!
Click to expand...

Definitely not “for it”

BUT

If he can solve the QB riddle and actually be part of drafting and development of the future QB then it is a wise move. Thats a big IF, an IF MikeyT had zero answers for.

Hopefully they take advantage of an offensive minded HC with QB development history and build a bridge into modern era QB driven NFL football.

That’s my low bar for a success story.

Enough with the KP, Trubisky, Rudy, Fields, Wilson, Rodgers BS Tomlin was bringing.
 
Dk brought up a good point on the process, and maybe some did here as well. Dan Jr. was in on the interviews and he didn't get to see a wide range of candidates for in-person interviews. It would've been helpful to have a thorough interview process for future hirings.
 
slashsteel said:
Oh there is more against it than for it.

Hopefully the ones for it are right and I am wrong.
Click to expand...
I wasn't thrilled by the hire, but I think who he brings in as his staff will be more telling the the McCarthy hire itself. We'll see if he has free range to get who he wants. It was reported that there are coaches he wants to hire that are under contract with other teams and they are in the process of requesting permission to speak with them.

The good news? Austin and Smith are gone. DC will be the most important of his hires, since he typically calls the plays himself. I would REALLY like Schwartz, but he's still in the running for Cleveland's HC spot. But he would understand what to do with Watt, and Cleveland's D has not been the reason they have sucked for years.
 
insaniti said:
I wasn't thrilled by the hire, but I think who he brings in as his staff will be more telling the the McCarthy hire itself. We'll see if he has free range to get who he wants. It was reported that there are coaches he wants to hire that are under contract with other teams and they are in the process of requesting permission to speak with them.

The good news? Austin and Smith are gone. DC will be the most important of his hires, since he typically calls the plays himself. I would REALLY like Schwartz, but he's still in the running for Cleveland's HC spot. But he would understand what to do with Watt, and Cleveland's D has not been the reason they have sucked for years.
Click to expand...
Rooney also mentioned OL coach, so he's gone as well.

Word is if Scheelhaase gets the job in Cleveland, he'll keep Schwartz as DC.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Dk brought up a good point on the process, and maybe some did here as well. Dan Jr. was in on the interviews and he didn't get to see a wide range of candidates for in-person interviews. It would've been helpful to have a thorough interview process for future hirings.
Click to expand...




i saw / heard that as well. Unfortunately that shows Art 2 is less capable of building for the future.

I hope Dan sees these discrepancies, and advances in that respects.

I see Art 2 stepping down in 3 years-ish, I also see Dan leading in a new HC search within 6 years.




Salute the nation
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Rooney also mentioned OL coach, so he's gone as well.

Word is if Scheelhaase gets the job in Cleveland, he'll keep Schwartz as DC.
Click to expand...
Nate got a second interview in Cleveland and Buffalo is lining him up for one as well.
 
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