The Steelers have turned the page on the Mike Tomlin era after 19 years. To put it into perspective, Tomlin started coaching the Steelers before most people knew what an iPhone was. The Steelers are looking to build on their 10-7 season a year ago under new head coach Mike McCarthy, who comes over from the Cowboys. Brian Angelichio will be the new offensive coordinator. Aaron Rodgers returns as the starting quarterback. Jaylen Warren returns as the lead running back, and Rico Dowdle joins the backfield as the Steelers look to replace the production of the departed Kenneth Gainwell. Dowdle has missed the last two games with a toe injury. Pittsburgh returns five of its top eight pass catchers from last year, including DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson, and tight end Pat Freiermuth. Michael Pittman also comes over from the Colts. On the offensive line, Troy Fautanu, Mason McCormick, Zach Frazier, Spencer Anderson, and Dylan Cook return, and Brock Hoffman adds depth after coming over from Dallas.
Patrick Graham comes over from Las Vegas and will be the Steelers’ next defensive coordinator. The Steelers return their top seven tacklers from a year ago, and Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, Cameron Heyward, Keeanu Benton, T.J. Watt, Patrick Queen, Payton Wilson, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and Cole Holcomb form a talented and veteran front seven. Pittsburgh also welcomes Sebastian Joseph-Day from Tennessee and Notre Dame rookie Gabriel Rubio. Harmon suffered a foot injury in Week 4 and was placed on injured reserve. In the secondary, the Steelers return Jalen Ramsey, Asante Samuel, and Brandin Echols. Joey Porter Jr. was traded to Dallas before Week 4. DeShon Elliott started the season on injured reserve. Pittsburgh adds Jamel Dean from Tampa, Rayshawn Jenkins from Cleveland, and Jaquan Brisker from Chicago.
Danny Crossman will be the Steelers’ special teams coach. Chris Boswell returns after connecting on 84% of his attempts last year, and Cameron Johnston returns as punter. A bright spot for Pittsburgh in the return game will be electric Kaden Wetjen, one of college football’s premier return specialists at Iowa. He could be a household name by year’s end. Things feel different in Pittsburgh with a new coaching staff. The Steelers are 2-2 under McCarthy, while Rodgers and the passing game have shown more downfield explosiveness after a slow start. Pittsburgh will look to find more consistency as it moves deeper into its first season without Tomlin in nearly two decades.