Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers reuniting has many Pittsburgh Steelers fans expecting more from the team offensively. Rodgers had his good moments last year, but things were far too inconsistent under former OC Arthur Smith.
Given McCarthy’s success with quarterbacks, and as a play caller, expectations for Rodgers could be raised a bit this year. But scheme-wise, McCarthy doesn’t think there will be as much of a difference as most expect.
“It’s not like just (Rodgers) and I got back together and dusted off the old playbook,” McCarthy said via FOX Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano. “There’s a lot of language that’s changed. And we kept some of the things that were here last year just to try and keep the guys in sync.”
It does make sense to keep some things the same. While Rodgers and McCarthy might be in lockstep, there are lots of Steelers players who are working with McCarthy for the first time. While Rico Dowdle and Brock Hoffman have experience with him from Dallas, that’s about it. Keeping some aspects of the 2025 scheme should help make it easier for the rest of the unit to get on the same page.
However, his words won’t be that welcome to some Steelers fans. Especially those frustrated with how dink and dunk the passing game was in 2025. With Rodgers trying to stay upright in the pocket, much of the passing game revolved around the line of scrimmage, and the Steelers rarely had time to let things develop downfield.
Some of the Steelers’ offseason acquisitions fit that type of passing game. Both Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard, the two big receiver additions, are a good example. Each can beat press coverage off the line, can quickly settle into open holes against zone, and can make tough, contested catches.
After the Steelers’ offensive struggles in 2025, many won’t want to hear McCarthy say he is some things the same. But when you have a 42-year-old quarterback, there’s not much of a choice. And for what it’s worth, McCarthy has the offensive resume to trust the changes he does make. At the end of the day, this chapter of Rodgers and McCarthy won’t be the same as the first one in Green Bay.
