J.J. Galbreath joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2025 out of South Dakota, and he felt that something hadn’t been quite right during Tomlin’s final stretch with the team. “Last year coming in, I just felt like there was like a tension in the air,” he said during an appearance on The Banner Show.

After completing his first year in the NFL, Galbreath appears to be entering this new chapter with a greater sense of confidence and experience. “It seems more easygoing,” he added.

It appears that Mike McCarthy is already looking to distinguish himself from Mike Tomlin, not only in terms of team culture but also through his tactical approach. Can the veteran head coach lead the Steelers back to the NFL‘s elite?

Mike Tomlin’s legacy

Since taking the reins of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2007, Mike Tomlin has built one of the most impressively consistent resumes in modern NFL history. Most famously, he’s never posted a single losing season in nearly two decades on the sideline.

Along the way, he became the youngest head coach at the time to win a Super Bowl when he led Pittsburgh to victory in Super Bowl XLIII, added seven AFC North division titles, and earned over 170 regular-season wins.

Rodgers’ tight end options

J.J. Galbreath currently sits lower on the Steelers’ tight end depth chart, especially after the team signed former Kansas City Chiefs tight end Robert Tonyan to provide another reliable target for Aaron Rodgers. These are the tight ends the veteran quarterback will have at his disposal this season:

• Darnell Washington
• Pat Freiermuth
• Robert Tonyan
• JJ Galbreath
• Lake McRee
• Jaheim Bell

Steelers kick off preparations for the 2026 season

The Steelers’ 2026 NFL training camp is just around the corner, and unlike many other teams, Pittsburgh’s veterans and rookies will report on the same day to begin preparations in full.

The scheduled date for players to report for the toughest stage of preparation is Tuesday, July 28, with Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, serving as the team’s training camp location.

With the 2026 NFL training camp set to begin soon, several changes are already starting to take shape. According to journalist Mark Kaboly on his show Kaboly + Mack, the Steelers are expected to have less physical contact during the early practices, along with the implementation of a new approach under the team’s new regime.

“I guess change isn’t bad, but he ain’t easing into this change,” Kaboly said. “It’s, ‘This is my way, this is how I do it, I don’t even care.’ I wouldn’t even be shocked if there is nothing that is similar to what was done in the past. They even changed the name of their weekly program on their website. What was it called, The Standard is the Standard? I don’t even think that’s the name of it anymore.

“I think it’s Forging Iron or something like that. You think The Standard is the Standard sign is going to be right there walking into the locker room at Acrisure Stadium? I guarantee that sign’s not there. What I’m saying is, everything has changed.“

What means ‘Standard is the Standard’?

Popularized by Mike Tomlin, the phrase “The standard is the standard” embodies an uncompromising mindset of accountability, discipline, and excellence. It means that the team’s expectations and level of performance remain high regardless of circumstances, whether dealing with injuries, roster changes, or playing back-to-back opponents.

In essence, it serves as a reminder that excuses are unacceptable, and every player, regardless of their role or status, is expected to meet the exact same elite standard set by the franchise.

Key differences between McCarthy and Tomlin

While both are Super Bowl-winning head coaches, Mike Tomlin and Mike McCarthy approach the game from fundamentally different tactical foundations. Tomlin is a defensively rooted leader whose core philosophy rests on a hard-nosed, physical 3-4 defense and disciplined, high-intensity play designed to win the turnover margin and physical battles up front.

In contrast, McCarthy is an offensive-minded play-caller built around West Coast passing principles, heavy usage of spread formations, and short-to-intermediate horizontal passing schemes designed to maximize quarterback rhythm and efficiency.

Where Tomlin emphasizes defense, field position, and relentlessly enforcing high standards across all phases, McCarthy focuses his field tactics on dictating tempos, creating favorable passing matchups, and managing offensive red-zone execution.

“I saw the whole charade that went on all this offseason, but I mean it’s talks. Obviously, no movement either way,” the linebacker said, via Christopher Carter of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“So, at the end of the day, [the Steelers] have business to handle. I’ve got business handled at home, and my business is to go out there and play the best football I can and put myself in a good position and put our team in a good position so that we both get successful.”

Queen was one of the players frequently mentioned in rumors as a potential cap casualty this offseason, amid speculation that Pittsburgh could make roster moves to create salary-cap flexibility in Steel City. However, according to his own comments, those rumors have been put to rest, and he will now look to compete for the AFC North title alongside the team’s new coaching staff.

Queen was a key asset in 2025

Patrick Queen absolutely held it down for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense in 2025, locking up the middle of the field across all 17 games. He wrapped up a stellar season with an impressive 120 combined tackles, 1.0 sack, and a forced fumble, proving exactly why Pittsburgh brought him in.

He was a non-stop motor and a total coverage nightmare—the exact kind of reliable weapon that gives a savvy veteran teammate like Aaron Rodgers total peace of mind on the other side of the ball.

What is Queen’s contract situation?

Queen entered the league with Pittsburgh by signing a three-year, $41 million contract in 2024, locking him down through the 2026 season before he hits unrestricted free agency in 2027. Heading into the final year of that deal, he carries a significant $17.1 million cap hit for 2026, which includes a base salary of around $13 million.

Because of that heavy number, the front office faces a tough financial decision on whether to let him play out the final year of his contract or restructure things to lower his immediate impact on the team’s total salary cap.

“I’ve got a good amount of money coming in this year,” Queen said. “So at the end of the day, I couldn’t care less. If they do want to extend, cool. If not, cool. At the end of the day, it’s a business.“

Rodgers has trusted linebackers

Following a frustrating exit in the 2025 playoffs, Aaron Rodgers is locked in for what will be his final NFL campaign, and he will have the luxury of leaning on a truly elite linebacker corps to help him get over the hump. Pittsburgh’s defense is loaded with premier playmakers, anchored by the relentless edge-rushing duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, alongside the explosive athleticism of rising star Payton Wilson.

With Patrick Queen also locking down the middle of the field, this formidable unit is perfectly equipped to choke out opposing offenses, giving the veteran quarterback the elite defensive support he needs to orchestrate one last deep postseason run.

Swinton had joined Pittsburgh in February as part of Mike McCarthy’s new coaching staff and was expected to play an important role within the special teams unit. His arrival was viewed as a key addition to support special teams coordinator Danny Crossman, who took over following the departure of longtime coach Danny Smith.

The timing of the move comes as the Steelers continue preparing for a season with high expectations surrounding Aaron Rodgers and a roster built to compete for a playoff run.

Why Steelers fired coach Derrius Swinton?

The Steelers have not publicly disclosed the specific reason behind Derrius Swinton’s dismissal. However, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor later provided additional details regarding the situation.

“Though the Steelers declined to provide the exact violation, Swinton, who was hired as part of new coach Mike McCarthy’s staff earlier this year, was dismissed due to workplace misconduct, a team source told ESPN.”

Before joining Pittsburgh, Swinton built an extensive NFL résumé working with several teams across the league. During his coaching career, he held assistant roles with the Chiefs, Broncos, Raiders, Bears, Cardinals, Chargers, Lions and 49ers.

“We’ve definitely got four that we love, I can say that,” the head coach said to the press. “You always have to develop the room. That’s always been the approach. We’re hoping that (general manager) Omar (Khan) can get the roster expanded to 55 and we can keep four. It’s a really good room. This is a good place to be, having four guys that can play.”

Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph represent the veteran presence. Will Howard and Drew Allar might be the future. It is no coincidence that all four are together this season: Steel City is going all in with A-Rod while also keeping their eyes on what could happen beyond 2027.

Mike McCarthy wants to develop the youngest talent

Aaron Rodgers’ return somehow benefits Will Howard as well as Drew Allar. With Mason Rudolph also on the roster, Mike McCarthy aims to fully develop and maximize the talent of his two young players at the position.

“Mason has a lot of experience,” the Steelers head coach said. “We’re trying to develop Will and Drew as well as we can. Will is ahead of Drew, just based on the fact that he’s been here.” Howard enters his second year in the NFL after not playing a single snap during his rookie season. Drew Allar, meanwhile, is taking his first steps in the league and will need to absorb as much information as possible to get up to speed.

Steelers have a HC who knows how to work with quarterbacks

Throughout his coaching career, Mike McCarthy has built a stellar reputation as a true quarterback guru with a proven track record of maximizing passing talent. This pedigree was solidified during his defining tenure with the Green Bay Packers, where he took over a young, raw Aaron Rodgers and meticulously developed him into a mechanical masterpiece and a future four-time MVP.

McCarthy’s quarterback-friendly system and strict developmental protocols have consistently elevated signal-callers, helping them master pre-snap reads, refine their footwork, and play with high-level efficiency. It is exactly this history of elite mentorship that makes his current role so intriguing as he looks to work his magic once again on a new generation of quarterbacks.

Pittsburgh already looking ahead to the 2026 season

Returning to another Super Bowl is the number one ambition in Steel City. These will be the first matchups of the upcoming season that they will have to face:

• Week 1, vs Atlanta Falcons
• Week 2, at New England Patriots
• Week 3, vs Cincinnati Bengals
• Week 4, at Cleveland Browns
• Week 5, vs Indianapolis Colts

Retirement is still close, though—just a little ways out and rising on the horizon. Rodgers confirmed 2026 will be his last NFL season, meaning he will retire younger than Tom Brady did. Still, he is excited for the upcoming campaign alongside McCarthy, with whom he won a Super Bowl—his lone Vince Lombardi Trophy—in 2011. In fact, if it had not been for the head coach, Rodgers may have called it a career this offseason.

“I thought that was probably it for me in Pittsburgh. But when the decision was made to hire Mike, I started opening my mind back up to coming back,” Rodgers stated, via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

Unfinished business for Rodgers

Had Rodgers closed out his chapter with the Steelers after the 2025 NFL season, a dull feeling would have lingered over his one-year stint in the Three Rivers. The future Hall of Famer and Tomlin‘s offense looked herky-jerky all season long.

To make matters worse, their final act is still giving fans in The Burgh nightmares. A whopping 30-6 home loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round extended Pittsburgh’s postseason winless drought to nine straight years. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Not even Rodgers could wash that sour taste out of fans’ mouths.

Still, he’s ready to give it another shot in 2026. Perhaps, a decade later, the curse will finally be lifted. Rodgers has plenty to prove as well. His last postseason victory came during the 2020 season, and he’s gone 0-3 in the playoffs since then.

Rodgers and McCarthy reunite

With Mike McCarthy calling the shots, Rodgers may be in for a trip down memory lane—a return to the glory days. If the longtime coach-quarterback duo still has some magic left, the Steelers may have reason to believe.

If there’s one coach capable of getting the best out of “A-Rod,” it’s McCarthy. He served as Rodgers’ head coach in Green Bay for 13 seasons from 2006 to 2018. During that span, Rodgers won a Super Bowl and captured two NFL MVP awards. If he plays to even a fraction of that level in 2026, Pittsburgh could be in for a magical year.

That could take some time, especially since the successful tandem from the Kansas City Chiefs is still active, meaning its win total (including playoffs) could continue to grow. What they could realistically surpass, however, is the duo of Marv Levy and Jim Kelly, who recorded 108 wins together (99 in the regular season and 9 in the playoffs) with the Buffalo Bills.

Since the creation of the Super Bowl in 1966, the NFL has featured highly successful quarterback-coach duos such as Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, as well as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. This is the list in which both Rodgers and McCarthy, who reunite in Pittsburgh many years after their time together on the Green Bay Packers, will look to continue climbing the rankings.

Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh

According to NFL media, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 22nd NFL season after agreeing to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $25 million. The contract is expected to feature a base salary between $22 million and $23 million, with the remaining amount structured through a few million dollars in performance incentives.

Aaron Rodgers looks to build on 2025 success

Heading into his second consecutive year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Aaron Rodgers is locked in to elevate an offense that leaned heavily on conservative play-calling last season. Despite leading the team to an AFC North title, Rodgers posted a career-low 3,322 passing yards over 16 regular-season games, paired with a modest 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

Reunited with Mike McCarthy—whose system historically pushed the ball much deeper downfield—the 42-year-old signal-caller will look to drastically improve upon his league-worst 6.1-yard average target depth and replicate the aggressive, high-flying aerial attack that once defined their championship years together.

“Aaron Rodgers was not at the Steelers facility once this weekend,” the insider Adam Schefter revealed on The Pat McAfee Show. “I don’t think anything has changed and I still think he ends up back with the Steelers.”

Before signing with the franchise last season, A-Rod didn’t show up until June. Will it take a few more weeks to finally learn the quarterback’s final decision?

Could Drew Allar be a good alternative to Rodgers?

Drew Allar is increasingly being viewed as the spiritual successor to Aaron Rodgers in Mike McCarthy’s system, sharing that rare combination of elite arm talent and the ability to make effortless off-platform throws.

Like a young Rodgers, Allar boasts an exceptional ball security. In his final 2025 college season, he maintained a high level of efficiency with 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns against only 3 interceptions in limited action, proving he can protect the football while pushing it downfield.

Mike McCarthy already praised Allar during recent minicamps, noting his “gifted” natural throwing ability and physical profile. With his raw tools and McCarthy’s proven track record of developing legendary passers, the rookie has the clear potential to bridge the gap from the Rodgers era to the Steelers’ long-term future.

Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are also waiting for their opportunity with the Steelers

Amid the ongoing uncertainty regarding Aaron Rodgers’ future, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are also prepared to step up should the four-time MVP choose to move on. While the Steelers have placed an unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers to facilitate his return, the lack of a finalized deal has opened the door for the rest of the quarterback room to compete for significant reps.

For Rudolph, this represents another chance to prove his veteran stability in the system, while Howard—the 2025 sixth-round pick—has recently become a focal point of development under Mike McCarthy’s “quarterback guru” approach. With Rodgers still weighing his decision heading into late May, both players are positioning themselves to lead a roster that remains built to compete immediately in the AFC North.

As uncertainty continues surrounding Rodgers’ decision, Allar enters an intriguing competition with Will Howard while veteran Mason Rudolph provides experience inside the QB room. Even if Rodgers eventually signs with Pittsburgh, the long-term future of the position could still depend heavily on how quickly the young quarterbacks develop.

That is why Mike McCarthy’s early comments about Allar generated so much interest. The Steelers head coach praised the rookie’s physical tools while also acknowledging there is still major technical work ahead as they begin reshaping his mechanics and footwork.

Mike McCarthy sees major upside in Drew Allar

Mike McCarthy made it clear that Drew Allar’s raw talent immediately stands out when watching him throw the football. “I think he’s the perfect description of what I’ve just said. He’s physically gifted. He’s a gifted thrower of the football, but he’s no different than any other young quarterback that I’ve had the opportunity to work with.”

The Steelers clearly believe Allar possesses the arm talent and physical profile necessary to eventually become an NFL starter. However, McCarthy also emphasized that the developmental process for young quarterbacks is never simple, especially when refining mechanics.

That became especially important when the coach addressed criticism surrounding Allar’s footwork, an area many scouts viewed as inconsistent coming out of college.

Steelers already working to adjust Drew Allar’s mechanics

Mike McCarthy defended Drew Allar while explaining that quarterback footwork varies depending on offensive systems and body types. It’s going to be a very different story compared to Penn State.

“I mean, everybody teaches footwork a little differently. Everybody has a system of offense and how you tie your quarterback, particularly in the pass game, to that. There’s a lot of work there. We’re able to just adjust some fundamentals that we think will help him. I think a big part of quarterback play is understanding the profile of the individual. They’re all built a little differently. Some guys are higher cut than others.”

The comments suggest the Steelers are focused on tailoring their coaching approach specifically to Allar rather than forcing him into a rigid developmental template. McCarthy also sounded encouraged by the rookie’s first few practices and the adjustments he has already made during minicamp.

“It was great to get him on film. The first thing that we did with Drew, just no different than we did with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph, we shoot a profile tape. We were able to do that yesterday, evaluate that, and tried some things that he responded to very favorably. So, he made a very good first impression.”

Aaron Rodgers’ uncertainty still hanging over Steelers quarterback room

While Aaron Rodgers remains the dominant storyline around Pittsburgh, the Steelers are quietly building a fascinating quarterback situation behind the scenes.

If Rodgers signs, Allar and Howard could spend valuable time developing behind one of the greatest quarterbacks of the modern era. If Rodgers walks away or retires, however, the pressure on Pittsburgh’s young quarterbacks could arrive much sooner than expected.

During a recent media appearance, McCarthy was asked directly whether Rodgers could sign with Pittsburgh soon enough to participate in OTAs before May 18. Instead of shutting down the possibility, the Steelers head coach delivered a response that immediately sparked speculation across social media. “I mean, three quarterbacks is the normal. Four would be awesome.”

McCarthy smiled while answering the question, and many around the league interpreted the reaction as a possible hint that Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers remains a very realistic scenario despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the veteran quarterback’s future.

Steelers QB depth chart

At the moment, the three quarterbacks Mike McCarthy referenced are Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar, That’s the QB depth chart heading into offseason activities.

The obvious “fourth quarterback” would be Rodgers, whose prolonged decision process has once again created enormous uncertainty. Even with growing optimism surrounding Pittsburgh, the veteran continues dragging out the process without giving a final public answer.

If Rodgers eventually signs, it is very possible the Steelers carry four quarterbacks throughout much of the offseason and preseason before eventually making a roster decision closer to Week 1.

For now, however, the Steelers remain stuck waiting while every public comment, smile and reaction connected to Rodgers continues generating massive attention around the NFL.

“If Howard struggles mightily, then the door is cracked for Rudolph to stick around as the backup. In that scenario, Howard gets cut. That happens all the time to sixth-round picks, particularly when a new coaching staff takes over,” reported Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The former Ohio State Buckeyes player was selected with the 185th overall pick in 2025 but did not see any playing time or snaps during his rookie season. This could be a key factor when it comes to decision-making in the Steel City.

Howard is currently sharing the depth chart with Mason Rudolph and the recently drafted Drew Allar. Now it remains to be seen what decision Rodgers will ultimately make, and from there, head coach Mike McCarthy will choose his QB1 for the start of the season.

Rodgers’ numbers kept Howard off the field

Despite being in the twilight of his career, Rodgers delivered a masterclass in 2025 by throwing for 3,845 yards and 26 touchdowns with only 8 interceptions. This high-level consistency, which led the team back to the postseason, meant there was zero opportunity for Howard to see the field.

However, the future remains a massive talking point in the Steel City, especially as the Steelers reportedly set a deadline for Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he will return for the 2026 campaign or finally hang up his cleats.

McCarthy has experience developing young QBs

Mike McCarthy’s reputation as a “quarterback whisperer” provides a significant reason for optimism regarding Will Howard’s future in Pittsburgh. McCarthy’s career is defined by his success in refining the mechanics of young passers, most notably overseeing the early career and peak years of Aaron Rodgers, but also playing a crucial role in the development of Brett Favre as his quarterbacks coach in the 90s.

More recently, his work in Dallas helped Dak Prescott achieve some of the most efficient passing numbers of his career. This history of maximizing talent through structured offensive systems suggests that Howard is in the right hands to transition from a developmental rookie into a reliable NFL starter.