When the Pittsburgh Steelers announced the hiring of veteran coach Mike McCarthy, many national analysts scoffed, predicting a disastrous season. The former Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys head coach, now 62, faced a chorus of criticism that labeled the move “the worst decision Pittsburgh could make.”
Those doubts have quickly faded. After eight games, the Steelers sit 6-2, leading the AFC North and sitting just a half‑game behind the conference’s No. 1 seed. The team’s offense has surged, ranking first in EPA per rush since Week 5, second in total rushing yards, and third in yards per carry. Overall, Pittsburgh ranks seventh in EPA per play and ninth in success rate, averaging just under 26 points per game.
Offensive resurgence
Central to the offensive revival is running back Jaylen Warren, an undrafted former Oklahoma State player. Warren currently sits third in the NFL for scrimmage yards, trailing only Jahmyr Gibbs and Jaxon Smith‑Njigba, and leads all running backs in total EPA. The balanced attack has helped the Steelers climb the league’s offensive efficiency charts despite early skepticism about pairing McCarthy with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Defensive improvement
Defensively, the Steelers have made a dramatic turnaround. After finishing 26th in total defense last season, they now rank sixth in the league through eight games and are tied for fifth in defensive EPA per play. Pittsburgh leads the NFL with 26 sacks, with T.J. Watt topping the league at 7.5 sacks. This resurgence reflects a cohesive unit that has embraced McCarthy’s disciplined approach.
Critics such as Robert Mays of The Athletic and ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, who warned that the McCarthy‑Rodgers pairing would be disastrous, have seen their predictions overturned by on‑field results. While the national media had painted the hire as a misstep, the Steelers’ performance demonstrates that experience and a clear vision can quickly translate into wins.
McCarthy’s track record includes 13 seasons in Green Bay, where he amassed 135 wins—second only to Curly Lambeau—and captured a Super Bowl title in 2010. He later guided the Dallas Cowboys to three playoff appearances and three consecutive 12‑win seasons from 2021‑2023. After a brief hiatus in 2025, his return to coaching in Pittsburgh has revitalized a franchise that had not won a playoff game since the 2016 season.
Local fans have responded enthusiastically to the turnaround, filling stadium seats and showing renewed confidence in the team’s direction. The Steelers’ early success under McCarthy suggests that the franchise is back on a competitive path, with the potential to contend for a deep postseason run.
As the season progresses, the focus will shift to the passing game, which still shows room for improvement. Nevertheless, the combination of a potent rushing attack, a top‑10 defense, and disciplined coaching has already silenced many of the early doubters.
Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
