Steelers Consulted with Pat McAfee Before Mike McCarthy Hire

McAfee revealed the Steelers reached out to him for information on the new head coach.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Pat McAfee revealed during his interview with Aaron Rodgers that the Pittsburgh Steelers reached out to him for information on Mike McCarthy before hiring the 62-year-old Greenfield native as their new head coach. McAfee raved about McCarthy's preparation and attention to detail during his time as a weekly guest on McAfee's show in 2025, and Rodgers agreed that McCarthy's old-school approach is a good fit for the historic Steelers franchise.

Why it matters

The Steelers' decision to consult with media personality Pat McAfee, who had worked closely with McCarthy, shows the team's thorough vetting process for their new head coach. McCarthy's experience and connection to Pittsburgh as a "yinzer" were likely key factors in the Steelers' decision to hire him.

The details

McAfee said the Steelers reached out to him to get his thoughts on working with McCarthy, who had been a weekly guest on McAfee's show in 2025. McAfee praised McCarthy's preparation and investment in the show, saying he was "more prepared than anybody else" and "fully invested" despite trying to get back into coaching. Rodgers, McCarthy's former QB in Green Bay, also endorsed the hire, saying McCarthy's old-school approach and connection to Pittsburgh make him a good fit for the historic franchise.

  • In 2025, Mike McCarthy was a weekly guest on Pat McAfee's show.
  • On March 5, 2026, Pat McAfee revealed the Steelers had consulted him about McCarthy before hiring him as their new head coach.

The players

Pat McAfee

A media personality who had Mike McCarthy as a weekly guest on his show in 2025.

Mike McCarthy

The 62-year-old Greenfield native who was hired as the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Aaron Rodgers

The former quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, who played under Mike McCarthy as his head coach.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The historic NFL franchise that hired Mike McCarthy as their new head coach.

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What they’re saying

“Mike McCarthy impressed us every single week. I was actually asked, though, by the Pittsburgh Steelers people [about McCarthy].”

— Pat McAfee, Media Personality (McAfee's Show)

“Every week, this guy was more prepared than anybody else. …He came with ideas. He came with thoughts…He was fully invested with us and we very much understood that he's trying to get back into coaching and was all-in for us, so we were appreciative. I was mind-blown by him.”

— Pat McAfee, Media Personality (McAfee's Show)

“I don't give a s— about how old he is, how long he's been in the league or the trend of the new, young playcaller who's been on the staff of one of the [Mike] Shanahan disciples. It seems like that's kind of the hot thing. I get that. There's something to an old school organization, which the Pittsburgh Steelers definitely are, just like the Green Bay Packers were, and bringing in a guy, not only who bring acountability and a program proven to work at multiple places now, but he's a f—ing yinzer… Mike bleeds Pittsburgh, Pa. I think there's something special about that for a guy who is going to come home and lead a historic franchise.”

— Aaron Rodgers (McAfee's Show)

What’s next

The Steelers will officially introduce Mike McCarthy as their new head coach at a press conference on Monday, March 10th.

The takeaway

The Steelers' decision to consult with media personality Pat McAfee, who had worked closely with McCarthy, demonstrates the team's thorough vetting process for their new head coach. McCarthy's experience, preparation, and deep connection to Pittsburgh as a "yinzer" were likely key factors in the Steelers' decision to hire the 62-year-old as their new leader.