Follow us on Google Discover Mike McCarthy is wasting little time putting his own stamp on the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the new head coach set to end one of Mike Tomlin’s longest-running traditions before the 2026 season begins.
Rather than sticking with permanent captains, McCarthy has confirmed that Pittsburgh will use a weekly captain format, giving different players the opportunity to take on a leadership role throughout the season.
Tomlin stepped down in January after 19 seasons in charge, having never overseen a losing campaign. His approach included naming seasonal captains, with four players chosen for those roles last year.
Aaron Rodgers led the offence, Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt represented the defence, while Miles Killebrew handled special teams. Killebrew has since left Pittsburgh for Tampa Bay.
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty ImagesMike McCarthy brings familiar captaincy approach to Pittsburgh
McCarthy explained his decision during Monday’s press conference.
“Yes, we’ll do the weekly captain format. So without getting ahead of myself here, when we get to that point in that week, we’ll get that information to you,” McCarthy said.
It is a system the 62-year-old knows well. McCarthy used rotating captains during his time with the Dallas Cowboys from 2020 to 2024, having also employed the approach with the Green Bay Packers.
“I feel like it’s an opportunity for your full roster to experience – it’s an opportunity for leadership,” McCarthy said in 2020.
That means players can earn recognition during the season rather than knowing before Week 1 who will hold the role throughout the campaign.
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Heyward has been a Steelers defensive captain for 11 consecutive years, while Watt was captain for the fifth time in 2025. Rodgers could also feature regularly in McCarthy’s plans during what is expected to be his final NFL season.
Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
McCarthy’s homecoming has already attracted plenty of attention. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, the former Packers and Cowboys coach has spoken openly about the responsibility of taking charge of the team he grew up supporting.
“This is where I’m from. This is the cloth that I was cut from,” McCarthy said.
Now he has to turn that emotional return into results, with the Steelers opening their season against the Atlanta Falcons on September 13.
For McCarthy, the first change is already clear. Leadership in Pittsburgh will now have to be earned week by week.
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