The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016, or the Super Bowl since Mike McCarthy beat them in 2010. Nevertheless, he sees hope. And he sees himself as part of that hope. In his first season as the team’s head coach, he has a clear imperative to win. And he also believes that he already has a lot to work with.

“I wouldn’t say the team’s in a rut”, McCarthy said yesterday regarding the Steelers’ inability to win in the playoffs. “The team won the division last year, was a playoff football team. I viewed the team that way as a fan last year. I really liked the vibe of the team coming down the stretch. I thought they were coming together”.

The Steelers finished last season 10-7, wining four of their final five games after falling to 6-6. They needed the Week 18 victory to secure a postseason berth, also winning the division. But they once again floundered in the playoffs, losing to the Texans in the Wild Card Round. A day later, Mike Tomlin resigned, and the Steelers eventually hired Mike McCarthy.

“You have change; now you turn the page”, McCarthy said of the beginning of his Steelers tenure. “New coaching staff, going to be a new system of operations. It’s important for us to connect. Winning’s a huge part of the Pittsburgh Steelers culture. I’m bringing a winning process to Pittsburgh, and we plan on winning”.

“I’m bringing a winning process to Pittsburgh and we plan on winning.”

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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) March 31, 2026

McCarthy grew up watching the Steelers in training camp, so he understands the culture as part of his upbringing. But he also brings an extensive NFL resume, including many years as head coach for the Packers and Cowboys. As already mentioned, with the Packers, McCarthy won a Super Bowl over the Steelers in 2010.

Right now, the biggest question the Steelers and McCarthy are facing is who their quarterback will be in 2026. Betting money is still on Aaron Rodgers returning for one more season, but that feels like the least-worst option. While they did win enough games last year, they still fell well short of their goals.

Even winning one playoff game is not the Steelers’ goal, or McCarthy’s, but it would be a start. They are facing their longest drought during the Super Bowl era, going into a 10th winless season. They won three playoff games between the 2015 and 2016 seasons, their only wins since 2010.

But does Mike McCarthy really have the winning process that will get the Steelers over the hump? Or is the magic elixir simply the presence of a franchise quarterback? That’s something they haven’t had in years—arguably since 2018.