Aug 13, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy watches the action against the Green Bay Packers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Steelers Players 'Don't Have Belief' in Mike McCarthy: Report 1
There are cracks showing with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a frustrating 20-3 blowout to the New England Patriots in Week 2.
Changes are expected to be made before the Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Per Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports, the Steelers are expected to give “extensive playing time” to first-round rookie offensive lineman Max Iheanachor. The move comes after the Steelers gave up four sacks to the Patriots and have rushed for just 149 yards in their first two games.
Another bombshell dropped on the feelings some players have on first-year head coach Mike McCarthy. A source told Pauline that some players have a “Mike Tomlin hangover.”
Players don’t see the same “energy” that Tomlin brought to the locker room, and don’t have the same belief that they can win games if they fall behind.
“I’m told the energy, edge, and passion that Tomlin brought with him every week is not yet there with McCarthy,” Pauline said. “A player said that every week when Tomlin led the Steelers onto the field through the tunnel, there was a belief that the team was going to win, and even if they fell behind, they believed that Tomlin would find a way to bring them back.
“That belief is not there with McCarthy, or at least not there yet with their new head coach. The source told me that this is no disrespect to Mike McCarthy. Rather, this is a veteran team that’s one of the oldest in the league, and it’s taking a while for them to adjust to the new head coaching style.”
Steelers need Mike McCarthy to make changes
Jun 9, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy speaks during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn ImagesJun 9, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy speaks during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jun 9, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy speaks during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Even in the Steelers’ Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh struggled to put away a visiting Falcons team that was down to third-string quarterback Cooper Rush. The Steelers won 20-13.
The Steelers have had issues with the offensive line through two weeks. Maybe giving Iheanacho a shot will help the offensive line, though McCarthy recently suggested that a lack of cohesiveness due to numerous combination shifts this offseason and in training camp hurt the unit.
Regardless, McCarthy must find a way to resonate with his veteran players, or the Steelers will fold much sooner than the trade deadline. Maybe some of those veterans could opt to push for a chance to play for a winner before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
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