Warren has 126 or more yards in three straight weeks without Dowdle. When he gets 20 or plus touches, he produces at one of the highest rates in the NFL. McCarthy said “Jaylen (Warren) is our feature player right now.” He also said that Dowdle is nearing a return, but the team will give Warren plenty of touches.

Also, Aaron Rodgers slammed media favorites and defended Jaylen Warren. That’s how good he’s been. Warren is a dual-threat back, so he helps Rodgers a lot on play-action and checkdowns.

Warren’s numbers are actually incredible

Jaylen Warren has 410 rushing yards, 230 receiving yards, and a total of two touchdowns in just five weeks. As of now, he ranks sixth in rushing yards, however he is the one with the least rushing attempts in the top 11.

Warren is also third in yards per attempt with 5.9, just below Kenneth Walker III (6.2) and James Cook III (6.0). All in all, Warren is proving to be a borderline elite weapon for the Steelers.

What does this mean for Rico Dowdle?

Dowdle was brought into this team to be a 1-2 punch alongside Warren. However that might change. Of course, the Steelers won’t want to burn Warren, but if he is taking 20 touches, then Dowdle must make Warren dip a bit. Still, judging by the words of McCarthy, Warren won’t have less than 15-17 touches.

In fact, if the Steelers are somewhat clever, they should trade Rico Dowdle to an RB-needy team like the Eagles, whose RB depth chart is dealing with plenty of injuries, or the Seahawks, who miss Kenneth Walker III a lot and have no running game.

Key takeaways

• Head coach Mike McCarthy named Jaylen Warren the Steelers’ feature player moving forward.
• Jaylen Warren logged 410 rushing yards and 230 receiving yards over five weeks.
• Warren ranks third in the NFL averaging 5.9 yards per rushing attempt.

The Steelers’ defeat in Cleveland was particularly painful because it came after Pittsburgh had opportunities to control the game. The television broadcast also captured several moments of frustration, including a heated exchange between McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers, while T.J. Watt was seen asking for headphones to question defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.

Those moments have inevitably fueled speculation about whether there are deeper problems inside the Steelers. McCarthy’s latest comments only added to the conversation, with his choice of words sounding far more serious than what would normally be expected from a team that is only four games into the season.

What did Mike McCarthy say about Steelers?

Mike McCarthy made his comments while explaining why the Steelers were using their extended break to focus on themselves before turning their attention toward the Colts. Rather than immediately beginning their normal opponent preparation, Pittsburgh spent additional time evaluating the problems that have appeared during the first four games. “We need to clean our own house. Our house is not clean right now.”

The statement immediately opened the door to speculation about possible changes within the Steelers, including potential trades or significant roster moves later in the season. Given the frustration already visible during the loss to Cleveland, the phrase “clean our own house” sounded particularly aggressive and quickly became a major talking point around Pittsburgh.

However, there is an important piece of context that has emerged from inside the locker room. Steelers players have indicated that McCarthy’s comments were about correcting mistakes on film, improving consistency and getting everyone on the same page rather than suggesting that the locker room is falling apart.

Pat Freiermuth specifically pushed back on the interpretation that there are major internal problems, saying the focus is on fixing correctable issues and winning the next stretch of games.

That distinction matters as Pittsburgh prepares for Indianapolis. McCarthy clearly believes the Steelers need to improve, but the evidence so far suggests his “clean our own house” message was primarily about self-scouting and correcting football mistakes. With a 2-2 record, the Steelers still have plenty of time to change their trajectory, but the pressure to do so will increase if the same problems continue against the Colts.

Key takeaways

• Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 5 with a 2-2 record after losing to Cleveland.
• Mike McCarthy made controversial comments saying “Our house is not clean right now.”
• Tight end Pat Freiermuth clarified the team’s focus is on correcting minor film errors.

Rodgers appeared frustrated by the delay in getting the next play call and directed an expletive toward the sideline. McCarthy then appeared to respond with profanity of his own, creating an exchange that quickly went viral on social media. The moment was particularly notable because of the long history between the quarterback and coach from their time together in Green Bay.

After the game, McCarthy acknowledged that the communication between the two got out of hand. Rather than dismissing the incident, the Steelers coach specifically expressed regret over the language he used while explaining that emotions can run high during an NFL game.

What happened between Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy?

Mike McCarthy explained that communication on the field can become heated when players and coaches are competing, but he understands that the situation was different once the exchange with Aaron Rodgers was captured and broadcast to a national audience.

“Yeah, communication sometimes is not the best choice of words, but, everybody’s competing on the field. I think what’s said on the field, the way I grew up in this game, usually stays on the field. That’s not the case today. I understand that.”

The Steelers coach went even further when discussing his own role in the confrontation, making it clear that he was not happy with the words he used toward Rodgers.

McCarthy did not try to justify the language, instead acknowledging that he would have handled that part of the exchange differently. “Any negative communication on my part, I wish I wouldn’t use those words.”

The incident came during a difficult night for Pittsburgh, which eventually fell to 2-2 after the Browns hit a game-winning 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining. Rodgers and McCarthy were able to move past the sideline confrontation during the game, but the broadcast footage ensured the exchange would receive considerably more attention after the final whistle.

Rodgers also pointed to the atmosphere inside Cleveland’s stadium as a factor in the communication problems, saying the crowd noise made some calls difficult to hear. That context helps explain how a disagreement over play communication escalated so quickly, although McCarthy clearly believes he could have avoided making the situation worse with his choice of words.

For McCarthy and Rodgers, the incident adds another unexpected chapter to a relationship that dates back to their successful years together with the Green Bay Packers. The two have worked together for years and understand the intensity that comes with competing at the highest level, but this time their frustration was caught on camera for everyone to see.

Key takeaways

• Mike McCarthy expressed regret over profanity used during a 27-24 loss to Cleveland.
• The Browns secured the victory with a 56-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining.
• Aaron Rodgers cited crowd noise in Cleveland’s stadium for causing communication issues on field.

“In a game like today where there wasn’t a lot of flow to it, we need to be better,” Rodgers told reporters once the game concluded. “And that starts with me at like making sure Mike knows what’s working, what’s not working, our coaches know, and — so we can call stuff that we feel like has a better chance.”

The overwhelming number of plays may have worked against the veteran quarterback. In fact, A-Rod expressed his support for finding a way to simplify the game plan throughout the game.

“If there’s too much stuff in the plan, we’ve got to cut it back,” Rodgers added. “I’m always liking to push the envelope, and if I see guys doing it the right way in practice, then I feel good about it, but we’ve got to transfer the practice to the game obviously and the details gotta come with it.”

Something went wrong for the Steelers

The Steelers‘ offense looked completely stuck in the mud in their brutal 20-3 loss to the Patriots. The gameplan completely sputtered out as Aaron Rodgers couldn’t get anything going downfield, finishing with just 187 passing yards, zero touchdowns, an interception, and a strip-sack fumble returned for a Pats score.

New England’s heavy blitz strategy completely overwhelmed Pittsburgh’s game plan: Rodgers was under pressure on nearly 39% of his drop backs and took four sacks, while DK Metcalf was effectively bracketed out of the game with just 27 receiving yards. To make matters worse, Pittsburgh completely failed on possession downs—converting an abysmal 2-of-12 on third down—and averaged 3.5 yards per play as they failed to hit the end zone all afternoon.

Rodgers trusts McCarthy to turn things around

Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy know each other well, and each trusts what the other can bring to the team. The coach’s experience could certainly help Steelers Nation bounce back from the performance they showed at Gillette Stadium.

“I’ve seen Mike for 14 years. So, Mike is going to take accountability, sometimes when it’s not his fault, doesn’t need to do that,” Rodgers said. “But Mike loves the guys, and he wants us to have some urgency and to bounce back with this, and I know we will.”

What’s next for the Steelers?

The Steelers have a tough stretch ahead to fix that sluggish offense. First, they head back home to Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, September 27 to host their division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals. Just four days later, on Thursday, October 1, they have a short-week road trip to face the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Finally, they return to Pittsburgh on Sunday, October 11 to lock horns with the Indianapolis Colts.

Key takeaways

• The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a 20-3 loss against the New England Patriots.
• Aaron Rodgers threw for 187 passing yards with zero touchdowns and one interception.
• Third-down struggles limited Pittsburgh’s offense to a 2-of-12 conversion rate.

According to NBC Sports, Mike McCarthy could become the fourth head coach in Steelers’ history to start his tenure 2-0. The other coaches to do so have been Mike Tomlin (2007), Bill Cowher (1992), and Johnny Blood (1937), back when the team was known as the Pirates.

The Steelers won in Week 1 but it wasn’t pretty. McCarthy’s team was able to get the home win against a bad Falcons team 20-13 thanks to a TJ Watt pick six. However, the game could’ve went either way. The Steelers won’t count with Michael Pittman Jr. for the next game.

Steelers’ stats in Week 1 vs Falcons

The Steelers had a mere 264 total yards on offense and just 58 rushing yards throughout the game. Pittsburgh struggled to move the chains and when you can’t run the ball, you can’t open up the playbook for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The good thing is the defense looked as good as ever. They allowed just 238 total yards to Atlanta, limited the Falcons to just 2/12 on third downs, sacked Cooper Rush four times, intercepted them twice, and instill fear on the opposing offense.

Who are the Steelers facing in Week 2?

Pittsburgh is ahead of a tough task as they face Super Bowl runners-up Patriots in Week 2. New England was very bad in Week 1, but the team had a long week to prepare and is seeking a bounce back spot.

However, the Steelers should win the battle in the trenches and the Patriots don’t have star wideout AJ Brown available. Hence, McCarthy should feel brave and plan a good performance against New England.

“We know our goal,” the linebacker said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review‘s Chris Harlan. “Not just get to the playoffs but when we get there to make noise. To win and go to the Super Bowl. But there definitely is extra added motivation to send ‘eight’ out the right way.”

A-Rod already knows what it feels like to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy, and he will look to do it again, this time in Steel City. Will the franchise’s long-held wish finally come true, with the quarterback capping his career with another championship?

Rodgers and McCarthy: A winning duo

Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy were an absolute powerhouse together in the Green Bay Packers, capping off their run with that unforgettable Super Bowl XLV victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2011. During their 13 seasons side by side, they transformed the franchise into a perennial NFC North juggernaut, stacking up eight straight playoff appearances and dialing up one of the most explosive, highly efficient passing offenses the league had ever seen.

Even though things got a bit bumpy toward the end of their era, there’s no denying that when Rodgers’ otherworldly raw talent synced up with McCarthy’s quarterback-friendly system, they were practically unstoppable and left an undeniable legacy in Titletown.

Rodgers’ last dance begins

As Aaron Rodgers kicks off his final NFL ride with the Pittsburgh Steelers, they face a manageable opening stretch that should let the offense get into a rhythm:

• Week 1 (Sept. 13): vs. Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium
• Week 2 (Sept. 20): at New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium
• Week 3 (Sept. 27): vs. Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium
• Week 4 (Oct. 1): at Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field (Thursday Night Football)
• Week 5 (Oct. 11): vs. Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium

“I’ll say this about Drew and really the whole room, their abilities physically fit in the offense… As we get into this spot in camp, we need to really hone in on specifically concepts… Drew can play through anything that we’ve asked him to do conceptually,” McCarthy said during his Sunday media availability.

Drew Allar is currently behind in the depth chart, although his talent could help him move up the rankings as the weeks go by. He will have to compete with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard to see if he can eventually earn a chance to become A-Rod’s primary backup.

How did Drew Allar perform against the Packers?

In his NFL preseason debut against the Green Bay Packers, Drew Allar delivered a standout performance to spark a 28-9 victory. Operating with high composure in Mike McCarthy’s offense, the third-round pick out of Penn State completed 10 of 13 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by a explosive 74-yard catch-and-run to Kaden Wetjen.

Allar also showcased his dual-threat ability by adding a 3-yard rushing touchdown, capping off a flawless outing where he accounted for three total scores.

McCarthy needs options in his QB room

Drew Allar provides Mike McCarthy with the ideal insurance policy and developmental quarterback to stabilize Pittsburgh’s long-term signal-caller strategy. With Aaron Rodgers entering his age-42 season, managing the workload of a veteran quarterback becomes paramount, especially given the inherent risk of mid-season injuries or physical decline.

Rather than forcing McCarthy to scale down his playbook for a backup, Allar brings elite arm strength, a 6-foot-5 frame, and the processing power to digest McCarthy’s full West Coast offensive installation without dropping off conceptually.

His ability to step in immediately—demonstrated by his multi-touchdown preseason debut—ensures the offense remains functional if Rodgers misses time, while simultaneously positioning Allar as the clear quarterback of the future once Rodgers eventually retires.

“He [wants me out there for] 30 or 40 plays,” Rodgers told Mike Silver of The Athletic. “I said, ‘Mike, if you want me to play, I’ll play.’ I’m not saying I want to do it. But if he wants me to, I will.”

McCarthy admitted his desire to see him play in the preseason, although he has not made a final decision yet. “We have plans … he’d like to play. I’d like to see him play. But we won’t make a decision until we get all the way up to it,” the head coach said according to ESPN‘s Brooke Pryor.

Rodgers is someone who knows his body very well and, at this stage of his career, understands that he cannot take unnecessary risks before the start of what could be his final season. However, he might grant his head coach’s wish so the two can build the same synergy that previously led them to the ultimate success years ago with the Green Bay Packers.

Breaking a tradition

Under Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh always prioritized having all starters — including veteran quarterbacks — play at least a couple of offensive series during the preseason to “tune up” the team before Week 1. With Aaron Rodgers arriving in Steel City, it marked the first time in the Tomlin era that a healthy starter did not take a single snap in August.

Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason games

Only a few weeks remain until the start of a new NFL season, and before that, preseason games will provide a preview of what could be ahead. If Rodgers takes the field for a few snaps, he will go head-to-head with two familiar opponents: the Green Bay Packers and the New York Jets.

• vs Green Bay Packers, August 13
• vs New York Jets, August 21
• at Buffalo Bills, August 27

How did Rodgers do under Mike Tomlin?

Under Mike Tomlin in 2025, Aaron Rodgers provided a steady veteran presence for the Pittsburgh Steelers, guiding them to a 10–7 record. In his campaign in the Steel City, the veteran quarterback threw for 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions with a 65.7% completion rate and a 94.8 passer rating.

However, the season came to a bitter end for the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card round, where Rodgers and the offense were completely smothered in a 30–6 loss to the Houston Texans, managing only 146 passing yards under relentless defensive pressure.

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.