When the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy as the 17th head coach in franchise history, the goal was for the franchise to land someone who could help solve the quarterback issues that they’ve had since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.
Thanks to his track record of success coaching up the quarterback position, McCarthy landed the job and now has a tough task in front of him with the Steelers. He must not only identify and develop that next franchise quarterback, but also try to compete right now in a window the team has with an aging roster.
Former NFL defensive end and current ESPN radio analyst Chris Canty has more belief in McCarthy to execute that plan for the Steelers than he did the previous coaching staff under Mike Tomlin.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers, when they hired Mike McCarthy, they were going to go with the now or later approach. We want Aaron Rodgers for now, if we can convince him not to retire, and we are gonna have to bring in a quarterback prospect to develop for later. And here’s the thing that I think is different than in years past. I trust the plan is gonna work out because of who’s developing the young quarterback,” Canty said of the Steelers on ESPN Radio. “You’re gonna have better quarterback play. Your quarterback room is gonna be all the better for having Mike McCarthy in town. And this is somebody that has an extensive track record of being able to get the best out of quarterbacks.
“So yeah, I think that if the Pittsburgh Steelers execute that game plan, then it’s going to work out for them both in the short term with them continuing to be competitive, but also what everybody is looking for a long-term solution at the quarterback position, given Mike McCarthy’s track records with quarterbacks.”
It’s tough to do a now and later approach, especially at the most important position in sports. But the Steelers under McCarthy are attempting to do just that. They’ve left the door open for Aaron Rodgers to return, and things seem to be developing in that direction for the 42-year-old to return for a second season in the Steel City, reuniting with McCarthy in the process.
While the Steelers have also raved about Will Howard so far this offseason, they’ve done their due diligence on the quarterback class in the 2026 NFL Draft, specifically on names like Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Miami (FL)’s Carson Beck.
The chances of the Steelers drafting a quarterback in the first round seem slim, but in terms of a second or third round pick, that remains a possibility, especially if McCarthy and the Steelers identify a signal caller they like.
McCarthy stated as such Monday during his media session with local reporters at the NFL owners meetings in Arizona.
That two-way path of both now and later at quarterback doesn’t seem like it will work. But there’s a belief in McCarthy, especially from Canty, that he can do it.
If he can, look out. The Steelers could be in business quickly as a contender once again.
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