Mike McCarthy Romeo Doubs
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Pro Football Focus' Bradley Locker argued the Mike McCarthy and the Pittsburgh Steelers should pursue wide receiver Romeo Doubs in NFL free agency.
The Pittsburgh Steelers made waves by hiring new head coach Mike McCarthy to take over for former head coach Mike Tomlin. McCarthy has made his name in the NFL as an elite quarterback guru and brilliant offensive coach. However, there are some who are still questioning the former Super Bowl champion’s ability to create magic on offense.
One of those people is none other than former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky. While on an edition of NFL Live earlier this week, Orlovsky made it a point to question McCarthy’s ability to create an explosive offense in the Steel City.
Dan Orlovsky Questions Pittsburgh Steelers’ Ability to Be Explosive on Offense
Mike McCarthy Nate Scheelhaase
GettyMike McCarthy will be the head coach of his third different NFL team in 2026.
Here is what Orlovsky said specifically about the one thing that McCarthy has to do in order to create a contending team in Pittsburgh:
“I think that perimeter wise, there’s really good players, and I think this is going to be an efficient offense, which is what Aaron (Rodgers) wants to be. But my big question mark is how Mike McCarthy will take them to become an explosive offense. You’re not going to really win your division, you’re not going to matter in the playoffs, unless you find ways to be explosive.”
McCarthy has been known to be one of the league’s better offensive minds over his 18-year coaching career. Whether it was with the Green Bay Packers (2006-2018) or the Dallas Cowboys (2020-2024), he has built prolific offenses year in and year out. Still, he and the Steelers are both looking to return to the Super Bowl for the first time in over 15 years. His ability to lead this offense could very well be the x-factor this upcoming season.
The Steelers Have the Makings of a Solid Offense
Pittsburgh Steelers
GettyAaron Rodgers played for Mike McCarthy in Green Bay for 13 seasons.
While the NFL Draft is still weeks away from taking place in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have the early makings of what could look like a talented offense. Not only is future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has a strong history with McCarthy, possibly on the cusp of returning for his 22nd NFL season, but the team was very active in free agency, especially on offense.
To add another talented wide receiver on the other side of two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metalf, Pittsburgh traded for two-time 1,000-yard wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Furthermore, back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle, who played for McCarthy in Dallas, was signed by the Steelers to a two-year deal. While the team did lose a couple of offensive linemen, along with veteran tight end Jonnu Smith and team MVP Kenneth Gainwell, the core on offense is still solid.
But it will be up to McCarthy to create more explosion on offense. Last season, the Steelers finished the year ranked 25th in total offense (305.6 YPG). It will be up to McCarthy and possibly Rodgers to find a way to greatly improve that output for the sake of the organization’s Super Bowl hopes.