Mike McCarthy More Involved in Steelers' Draft Than Previous Teams

Steelers head coach says he's had a greater role in draft prep compared to his time with the Packers and Cowboys.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:20am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the NFL draft process through overlapping shapes and planes, capturing the collaborative nature of player evaluation and selection.A cubist interpretation of the collaborative draft process between Steelers coaches and executives as they prepare for the upcoming NFL draft.Today in Pittsburgh

In an interview at the NFL's annual league meeting, new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy revealed that he has been more involved in the team's draft preparation process this year than he was during his previous head coaching stints with the Packers and Cowboys. McCarthy acknowledged the challenges of balancing draft responsibilities with his coaching duties, but noted the Steelers' collaborative approach to the draft.

Why it matters

McCarthy's increased involvement in the Steelers' draft process signals a shift from the approach of his predecessor, Mike Tomlin, who was known for his hands-on scouting and personal relationships with prospects. This could indicate a change in the team's draft strategy and player evaluation under the new head coach.

The details

McCarthy said the Steelers' draft process has been 'the most involved of the three teams' he's worked with, in contrast to his time with the Packers where general manager Ted Thompson had a more established role. In Dallas, McCarthy said the coaches were 'very involved' in the draft. Now with the Steelers, he is working closely with GM Omar Khan on draft preparation.

  • The comments were made by McCarthy at the NFL's annual league meeting earlier this week.

The players

Mike McCarthy

The current head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who previously served as head coach of the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys.

Ted Thompson

The former general manager of the Green Bay Packers, who worked closely with McCarthy during his time as Packers head coach.

Omar Khan

The current general manager of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who is collaborating with McCarthy on the team's draft preparation.

Mike Tomlin

The former head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, known for his hands-on approach to scouting and personal relationships with prospects.

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What they’re saying

“'It's been a challenge this year. I'd say, [it's] the most involved of the three teams. I think that's just probably has gone with the arc of my career too. [In] Green Bay, Ted [Thompson] was an established general manager, and I was the rookie.'”

— Mike McCarthy, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers

“'In Dallas, the coaches were very involved. It was a very coach-friendly process there, and it's probably similar to Pittsburgh. I mean, our coaching staff is very involved in it, and it's been difficult to be honest with you, because year one is year one.'”

— Mike McCarthy, Head Coach, Pittsburgh Steelers

What’s next

The Steelers will look to see how McCarthy's increased involvement in the draft process translates to their 2026 draft class, and whether it marks a shift in the team's player evaluation and selection strategy.

The takeaway

Mike McCarthy's comments suggest he is taking a more hands-on approach to the Steelers' draft preparations compared to his previous head coaching roles, which could signal a change in the team's draft philosophy under the new regime.