Mike McCarthy developing Quarterbacks.

[GaryPinC]

Interesting article discussing how he's immediately emphasizing offense

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/steelers-mccarthy-installs-14-bucket-qb-system-exposing-19-years-of-tomlin-s-mistakes/ss-AA235fKA?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6a04b0d396294f279ffe3050289a21ee&cvpid=6a05078f4b77468c86bfbe5d65914f02&ei=24

 

"Rookie minicamp in Pittsburgh, and the new head coach stood next to his third-round quarterback, breaking down footwork one rep at a time. Not from a suite. Not through a coordinator. Shoulder to shoulder on the field, correcting Drew Allar's mechanics in real time."

 

"His offensive teaching system breaks the passing game into 14 distinct instructional buckets and the running game into 7. Fourteen separate conceptual units for quarterback development."

 

We all agree QB's need to be developed, this is the first instance I've read about a cohesive plan.  Anyone able to discuss in more detail?

 

After watching Allar at PSU, I don't think he can process the game fast enough to be anything more than an NFL backup.  So, it'll be interesting to see if McCarthy can succeed with him.

[MikePJ76]

1 hour ago, GaryPinC said:

Interesting article discussing how he's immediately emphasizing offense

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/steelers-mccarthy-installs-14-bucket-qb-system-exposing-19-years-of-tomlin-s-mistakes/ss-AA235fKA?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6a04b0d396294f279ffe3050289a21ee&cvpid=6a05078f4b77468c86bfbe5d65914f02&ei=24

 

"Rookie minicamp in Pittsburgh, and the new head coach stood next to his third-round quarterback, breaking down footwork one rep at a time. Not from a suite. Not through a coordinator. Shoulder to shoulder on the field, correcting Drew Allar's mechanics in real time."

 

"His offensive teaching system breaks the passing game into 14 distinct instructional buckets and the running game into 7. Fourteen separate conceptual units for quarterback development."

 

We all agree QB's need to be developed, this is the first instance I've read about a cohesive plan.  Anyone able to discuss in more detail?

 

After watching Allar at PSU, I don't think he can process the game fast enough to be anything more than an NFL backup.  So, it'll be interesting to see if McCarthy can succeed with him.

This is mcarthy’s whole bit.   He worked with Joe Montana while coaching under schottenheimer and Hackett in KC.  
 

when he first showed up in Dallas he was going to fix Dak and bring some of the postseason magic he had in Green Bay.  
 

then he got embarrassed by the packers at home while coaching in Dallas on behalf of Dak’s incredibly poor play.

 

jay glazer has been his personal PR person for years.  Stephen jones wanted McCarthy because of his trust in glazer’s opinion.  McCarthy told the cowboys he spent a year studying every play from every game and learning the analytics like never before.  
 

it only took a year and Jerry started messing with him and making changes to his staff.  Then McCarthy pushed back and was persona non grata.  
 

it’s fascinating to me that Pittsburgh hired him.  I’m not quite sure why.  He must sell one hell of a future to owners in regards to quarterbacks based on those years with Montana and Rodgers.

[GaryPinC]

15 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

This is mcarthy’s whole bit.   He worked with Joe Montana while coaching under schottenheimer and Hackett in KC.  
 

when he first showed up in Dallas he was going to fix Dak and bring some of the postseason magic he had in Green Bay.  
 

then he got embarrassed by the packers at home while coaching in Dallas on behalf of Dak’s incredibly poor play.

 

jay glazer has been his personal PR person for years.  Stephen jones wanted McCarthy because of his trust in glazer’s opinion.  McCarthy told the cowboys he spent a year studying every play from every game and learning the analytics like never before.  
 

it only took a year and Jerry started messing with him and making changes to his staff.  Then McCarthy pushed back and was persona non grata.  
 

it’s fascinating to me that Pittsburgh hired him.  I’m not quite sure why.  He must sell one hell of a future to owners in regards to quarterbacks based on those years with Montana and Rodgers.

Thanks for the perspective, I tend to agree that McCarthy's history with those two played a big role with the Steelers.  I've always been curious what NFL teams do/don't do(Jets) in developing their QBs, but I rarely see it discussed.

[blacklabel]

23 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

This is mcarthy’s whole bit.   He worked with Joe Montana while coaching under schottenheimer and Hackett in KC.  
 

when he first showed up in Dallas he was going to fix Dak and bring some of the postseason magic he had in Green Bay.  
 

then he got embarrassed by the packers at home while coaching in Dallas on behalf of Dak’s incredibly poor play.

 

jay glazer has been his personal PR person for years.  Stephen jones wanted McCarthy because of his trust in glazer’s opinion.  McCarthy told the cowboys he spent a year studying every play from every game and learning the analytics like never before.  
 

it only took a year and Jerry started messing with him and making changes to his staff.  Then McCarthy pushed back and was persona non grata.  
 

it’s fascinating to me that Pittsburgh hired him.  I’m not quite sure why.  He must sell one hell of a future to owners in regards to quarterbacks based on those years with Montana and Rodgers.

 

I thought the guy would continue to do broadcasting gigs. I caught him with the McAfee crew for the 2025 draft and once he realized how loose things are with that group he was pretty funny and shared some really good insights. Wasn't my first choice to watch McAfee, that hyena, it was just what I found for free online to follow the first couple rounds lol. 

[warrior9]

43 minutes ago, MikePJ76 said:

This is mcarthy’s whole bit.   He worked with Joe Montana while coaching under schottenheimer and Hackett in KC.  
 

when he first showed up in Dallas he was going to fix Dak and bring some of the postseason magic he had in Green Bay.  
 

then he got embarrassed by the packers at home while coaching in Dallas on behalf of Dak’s incredibly poor play.

 

jay glazer has been his personal PR person for years.  Stephen jones wanted McCarthy because of his trust in glazer’s opinion.  McCarthy told the cowboys he spent a year studying every play from every game and learning the analytics like never before.  
 

it only took a year and Jerry started messing with him and making changes to his staff.  Then McCarthy pushed back and was persona non grata.  
 

it’s fascinating to me that Pittsburgh hired him.  I’m not quite sure why.  He must sell one hell of a future to owners in regards to quarterbacks based on those years with Montana and Rodgers.

He is the worst in game coach I've seen in a VERY long time. The fact he only won 1 SB with Rodgers is criminal. 

 

Edit: took out my comparison as to not hijack the thread.

Edited May 14 by warrior9

[Sierra Foothills]

16 hours ago, GaryPinC said:

Interesting article discussing how he's immediately emphasizing offense

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/steelers-mccarthy-installs-14-bucket-qb-system-exposing-19-years-of-tomlin-s-mistakes/ss-AA235fKA?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6a04b0d396294f279ffe3050289a21ee&cvpid=6a05078f4b77468c86bfbe5d65914f02&ei=24

 

"Rookie minicamp in Pittsburgh, and the new head coach stood next to his third-round quarterback, breaking down footwork one rep at a time. Not from a suite. Not through a coordinator. Shoulder to shoulder on the field, correcting Drew Allar's mechanics in real time."

 

"His offensive teaching system breaks the passing game into 14 distinct instructional buckets and the running game into 7. Fourteen separate conceptual units for quarterback development."

 

We all agree QB's need to be developed, this is the first instance I've read about a cohesive plan.  Anyone able to discuss in more detail?

 

After watching Allar at PSU, I don't think he can process the game fast enough to be anything more than an NFL backup.  So, it'll be interesting to see if McCarthy can succeed with him.

 

Some have described Allar as being Penn State's answer to Kenny Pickett. 😆

 

15 hours ago, MikePJ76 said:

This is mcarthy’s whole bit.   He worked with Joe Montana while coaching under schottenheimer and Hackett in KC.  
 

when he first showed up in Dallas he was going to fix Dak and bring some of the postseason magic he had in Green Bay.  
 

then he got embarrassed by the packers at home while coaching in Dallas on behalf of Dak’s incredibly poor play.

 

jay glazer has been his personal PR person for years.  Stephen jones wanted McCarthy because of his trust in glazer’s opinion.  McCarthy told the cowboys he spent a year studying every play from every game and learning the analytics like never before.  
 

it only took a year and Jerry started messing with him and making changes to his staff.  Then McCarthy pushed back and was persona non grata.  
 

it’s fascinating to me that Pittsburgh hired him.  I’m not quite sure why.  He must sell one hell of a future to owners in regards to quarterbacks based on those years with Montana and Rodgers.

 

To add on, McCarthy worked with Montana in KC... well after Montana's greatness in San Francisco.

 

He went to Green Bay and inherited Brett Favre who had already won MVPs before his arrival.

 

McCarthy does get credit for helping to develop Aaron Rodgers though Rodgers spent 3 years watching Favre and learning the system...

and was drafted when Mike Sherman was the HC.

 

McCarthy did a good job with Aaron Brooks in New Orleans and he improved Dak (but not so much the Cowboys) in Dallas.

 

Edited May 14 by Sierra Foothills

[Ayjent]

Offseason hype to get Steeler fans excited about a head scratching hire.  I remember reading something about JP Losman in the offseason before he was the full time starter and thinking "okay I get what the Bills are doing" after initially thinking it was a bad pick and him breaking his leg his rookie season. Same thing here..selling hope. 

[GaryPinC]

10 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Some have described Allar as being Penn State's answer to Kenny Pickett.

 

 

 

I think of him as Christian Hackenburg 2.0

[Sierra Foothills]

Just now, GaryPinC said:

I think of him as Christian Hackenburg 2.0

 

Yeah I was just poking fun at Pitt and Penn State fans simultaneously. 😀

 

I don't know the player at all.

 

[Nihilarian]

Dunno about him being a QB guru.

 

He did manage to get the Cowboys to the playoffs 3 out of his 5 years there, and that last year, Dak was injured and only played in 8 games. He did have that Dallas offense in the top five most years.

 

From what I recall about his Dallas teams is that they completely lacked discipline, and once they lost DC Dan Quinn, their defense went into the ceramic convenience. 

 

I can't imagine why the Steelers would hire the guy. I don't see him winning much in Pittsburgh, even with Rodgers

[transient]

I know he's said all of the right things, but this is Aaron Rodgers... If there's any truth to this Ty Dunne hit piece at all I can't help but wonder if he ends up coming back to the Steelers purely to sabotage McCarthy...

 

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2828649-what-happened-in-green-bay

[Sierra Foothills]

6 hours ago, transient said:

I know he's said all of the right things, but this is Aaron Rodgers... If there's any truth to this Ty Dunne hit piece at all I can't help but wonder if he ends up coming back to the Steelers purely to sabotage McCarthy...

 

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2828649-what-happened-in-green-bay

 

Brilliant read and it confirms the feeling outsiders were getting while watching the Packers grow stale with McCarthy and Rodgers.

 

Thanks for posting.

 

[Simon]

6 hours ago, transient said:

I know he's said all of the right things, but this is Aaron Rodgers... If there's any truth to this Ty Dunne hit piece at all I can't help but wonder if he ends up coming back to the Steelers purely to sabotage McCarthy...

 

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2828649-what-happened-in-green-bay

 

McCarthy probably single-handedly cost Rodgers 2-3 SB appearances in Green Bay with his utter idiocy.

I am still absolutely gobsmacked that a once proud and usually sensible organization like Pittsburgh even let him in the building.

I think it's going to be a complete tire fire down there by Thanksgiving.

[MasterStrategist]

4 minutes ago, Simon said:

 

McCarthy probably single-handedly cost Rodgers 2-3 SB appearances in Green Bay with his utter idiocy.

I am still absolutely gobsmacked that a once proud and usually sensible organization like Pittsburgh even let him in the building.

I think it's going to be a complete tire fire down there by Thanksgiving.

Agreed.  Omar is somehow their GM still. McCarthy gets that job being a local and devout Catholic, both play into Rooneys decision.  As well as being around and developing successful qbs/offenses.

 

I think McCarthy will be given alot more time than Omar, and eventually be shown the door in a few seasons.  Howard and Allar, I just dont see the potential in either of these guys after watching them closely in college. 

 

Best thing Steelers could do, would be to save the $s from bringing back Aaron.  And bottom out while giving their young Qbs a chance.  Get into a better draft spot to find a franchise Qb next draft.

[Sojourner]

On 5/13/2026 at 8:58 PM, MikePJ76 said:

it’s fascinating to me that Pittsburgh hired him.  I’m not quite sure why.  He must sell one hell of a future to owners in regards to quarterbacks based on those years with Montana and Rodgers.

Think it’s because of 2 reasons. The first for what you mentioned. He’s still riding the Montana/Rodgers coaching as well as Dak. The second, he’s a Pittsburgh native. Those guys surely know him from his coaching beginnings for the Panthers. I would presume that him being from there plays a significant part. 

[stuvian]

The Steelers are smoking hopium if they think Rodgers can stay upright an entire season. Why they didn't take any veteran QB insurance is dumbfounding 

[Jauronimo]

On 5/13/2026 at 8:41 PM, warrior9 said:

He is the worst in game coach I've seen in a VERY long time. The fact he only won 1 SB with Rodgers is criminal. 

 

Edit: took out my comparison as to not hijack the thread.

One super bowl despite incompetent game management sounds pretty sweet.