Steelers Legend Questions Mike McCarthy Hire: 'I'm Still Shocked'

Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson is not sure about the Mike McCarthy hire, saying he thinks the Steelers had better options available.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson expressed skepticism about the team's decision to hire Mike McCarthy as their new head coach, saying he was "shocked" by the move and believed the Steelers had better options available. However, Woodson acknowledged that the typical lifespan of NFL head coaches has changed, with fewer coaches staying in one spot for 10+ years these days. Steelers president Art Rooney II defended the McCarthy hire, saying the team is "very excited" about him leading the team into its "next winning phase" and that Steelers fans will "love Coach Mike."

Why it matters

The hiring of a new head coach is a critical decision for any NFL franchise, as the head coach sets the tone and direction for the team. Woodson's skepticism about the McCarthy hire reflects the high expectations and scrutiny that come with being the head coach of the storied Pittsburgh Steelers organization. The team's success under long-tenured coaches like Mike Tomlin has raised the bar, and Rooney's comments suggest the Steelers believe McCarthy is the right person to lead them forward despite the initial doubts.

The details

Woodson, a Hall of Fame cornerback who played for the Steelers from 1987 to 1996, said he was "shocked" by the team's decision to hire the 62-year-old McCarthy, who is the oldest head coach in Steelers history. Woodson felt the team should have gone with a younger coach to "build them up." However, Woodson acknowledged that the typical lifespan of NFL head coaches has changed, with fewer coaches staying in one spot for 10+ years these days. Steelers president Art Rooney II defended the McCarthy hire, saying the team is "very excited" about him leading the team and that Steelers fans will "love Coach Mike." Rooney said the team is "not worried about winning the initial press conference" and is focused on picking the coach they believe will help them "win games."

  • On January 27, 2026, the Steelers introduced Mike McCarthy as their new head coach.

The players

Rod Woodson

A former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback and Hall of Famer who expressed skepticism about the team's decision to hire Mike McCarthy as their new head coach.

Mike McCarthy

The new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, hired in January 2026 at the age of 62, making him the oldest head coach in Steelers history.

Art Rooney II

The president of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who defended the team's decision to hire Mike McCarthy and said the team is "very excited" about him leading the team into its "next winning phase."

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What they’re saying

“I'm on the shelf on that one because I was shocked. I'm thinking in my head, one of the younger coaches to build them up, like you [have} done throughout the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers. And I know he has some roots in the area, but I'm still shocked.”

— Rod Woodson, Former Pittsburgh Steelers Cornerback and Hall of Famer (The Jim Rome Show)

“We're really not worried about winning the initial press conference. It's about picking the coach we believe will help us win games. And social media really doesn't enter into it. And none of that will matter once we're starting to play games.”

— Art Rooney II, Pittsburgh Steelers President (Steelers.com)

“The message for our fans is we're very excited. We think we have a coach who is well-equipped to lead us into the next winning phase of Steelers football, and that's what it's all about. I think they're going to love Coach Mike.”

— Art Rooney II, Pittsburgh Steelers President (Steelers.com)

What’s next

The Steelers will begin their 2026 season under new head coach Mike McCarthy, with high expectations from both the team and the fanbase.

The takeaway

The hiring of Mike McCarthy as the new Steelers head coach has generated mixed reactions, with Steelers legend Rod Woodson expressing skepticism while team president Art Rooney II has defended the move, believing McCarthy is the right coach to lead the team into its next successful era. The Steelers' decision reflects the changing landscape of NFL head coaching, where long-tenured coaches are becoming less common, and the team is focused on finding the right fit to win games rather than just making a splashy hire.