McCarthy replaced Mike Tomlin after the 2025 season, bringing a new offensive philosophy that the Steelers hope will maximize Rodgers during what is expected to be the final season of his legendary NFL career. With expectations soaring, every comment from players about the new system is being closely analyzed.

Metcalf’s latest remarks have generated plenty of discussion because many fans believe they subtly highlight one of the biggest problems with Pittsburgh’s offense last season under Tomlin: communication between the quarterback and his receivers.

DK Metcalf praises communication under Mike McCarthy

Speaking about working with Aaron Rodgers in Mike McCarthy’s offense, DK Metcalf explained how the communication process has changed throughout the week.

“There were a lot of times where he would ask me what routes I want. I could’ve said, ‘I like this route’ or ‘I don’t like this route’ early on in the week instead of letting it bleed until Sunday. And then we’d get in the game and we’d both be on eggshells not knowing what the other one is thinking, but now it’s like an open form of communication. I like X, Y and Z, he likes X, Y and Z and we can both move forward.”

The comments suggest that Rodgers and Metcalf are building their game plan collaboratively throughout the week instead of waiting until game day to solve potential issues.

A subtle shot at Mike Tomlin?

DK Metcalf never directly criticized Mike Mike Tomlin or the Steelers’ 2025 coaching staff. However, many observers have interpreted his comments as an indirect comparison between last year’s offensive operation and the approach being implemented by McCarthy.

The emphasis on open communication and adjusting route concepts early in the week appears to contrast with the uncertainty Metcalf described experiencing on Sundays.

Whether intentional or not, the message is clear: the Steelers believe their offense is operating differently in 2026. If the improved communication between Rodgers and Metcalf translates onto the field, Pittsburgh could have one of the NFL’s most dangerous passing attacks this season.

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.

Parsons is one of the NFL’s biggest stars after an impressive start to his career with the Dallas Cowboys and now with the Green Bay Packers following one of the most surprising trades in league history.

For his part, Tomlin decided to end his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers after 19 seasons and a Super Bowl title with the historic franchise. Now, the veteran head coach is ready for a new chapter in his career.

Micah Parsons makes interesting ‘offer’ to Mike Tomlin

Micah Parsons and Mike Tomlin shared a warm exchange, with the veteran coach telling the star pass rusher, “Man, you just made my night.” Then, in a moment that caught everyone by surprise, Parsons invited Tomlin to join the Packers. “We got a spot for you. Just keep coming North.”

Mike Tomlin’s new job

Mike Tomlin is unlikely to accept Micah Parsons’ offer to join the Packers as an assistant coach or consultant, especially after signing a contract to become an NBC analyst beginning with the 2026 season.

However, in a particularly interesting moment, Parsons appeared to be completely serious about recruiting Tomlin, even though Matt LaFleur is currently the team’s head coach.

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.

“Oh, it’s gonna be great for the Giants,” Tomlin said on Monday at an NBCUniversal event at Radio City Music Hall. “You know, having competed against [Harbaugh] for 18 years over the same divisional territory, one thing I don’t know about his group, they’ll certainly be ready.

“And by that, I mean, there will be a hard buy-in to the team development process that’ll be appropriate to have ready to go week one. And secondarily, man, they’ll be a highly-conditioned group.“

Now far removed from having to defend the interests of his beloved Steelers on the field, Tomlin is beginning to offer his first thoughts on what lies ahead. He clearly knows Harbaugh firsthand and understands that he will be a tough opponent to face.

What is Mike Tomlin’s new role?

Mike Tomlin has transitioned into the media world after stepping down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in January 2026. He has officially joined NBC Sports as a studio analyst for “Football Night in America,” the network’s premier pregame show for Sunday Night Football.

While he spent 19 years on the sidelines, he will now use his extensive experience to provide expert analysis alongside Maria Taylor and the rest of the NBC crew starting this fall.

“It gives me an opportunity to stay close to the game that we all love, and share with fellow lovers, and learn something along the way,” Tomlin said.

The first blockbuster matchup in the NFL

The first Sunday Night Football game of the 2026 season will take place on September 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The matchup features a classic NFC East rivalry as the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, marking the highly anticipated Giants debut for head coach John Harbaugh.

According to the report, the off-the-field circumstances involving Vrabel could complicate his future with the team. “But if these upcoming few months go haywire, and if they are put in a situation of no return, either with the team not doing well or the drama of Mike’s family issues taking over and forcing a decision on Mike’s coaching future, the one person that they would seek to replace him would be Mike Tomlin.”

That potential scenario remains speculative for now, but it highlights how seriously the Patriots are preparing for all outcomes. Vrabel is still the current head coach, and they would prefer stability, but the possibility of disruption has forced them to think ahead. After becoming an icon with the Steelers and winning a Super Bowl, Tomlin could be the answer.

Mike Tomlin is an option for Patriots

Even within that uncertainty, the idea of Mike Tomlin stepping in comes with immediate complications. Tomlin has recently transitioned into a new role as an analyst with NBC, making any potential return to coaching, especially on short notice, far from straightforward.

If Tomlin were not available, another name could emerge internally: Josh McDaniels. With prior head coaching experience and familiarity with the organization, he could be viewed as a more immediate and practical option to step into the role if needed.

For now, the Patriots are not making any changes. But the fact that contingency plans are being considered underscores the unpredictability of the situation. Much will depend on how the coming months unfold, both on and off the field.

Until then, Mike Vrabel remains in place. But as the report suggests, the Patriots are quietly preparing for the possibility that things may not stay that way. Mike Tomlin would be a massive splash.

Recent reports confirm that Mike Tomlin has joined NBC as a football analyst for Football Night in America. The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach chose to step away from the sidelines while remaining connected to the sport through the media.

A similar transition could be in store for Russell Wilson. Although the Jets are interested in keeping him in New York following his exit from the Giants, a television offer may be more attractive for the Super Bowl XLVIII champion.

Report: Russell Wilson could stay in New York, but for CBS

According to rumors, Russell Wilson prefers to stay in New York, with the Jets really interested in him as QB2. However, it may no longer be as a player, but as a top NFL analyst for CBS.

Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reports that Wilson is in “deep discussions” regarding a broadcasting role. CBS’s studio is located in Manhattan, making it a perfect logistical fit.

The opening at CBS follows Matt Ryan’s departure from The NFL Today to join the Atlanta Falcons as President of Football Operations. This has created a high-profile vacancy that Wilson is a strong candidate to fill.

Is the Jets’ door closed for Russell Wilson?

Not necessarily. Wilson remains a primary candidate to back up Geno Smith for the Jets. However, the prospect of sitting behind the man who was once his own backup in Seattle may not appeal to “DangeRuss.”

Wilson is no longer viewed as a reliable starter, and his options for such a role are minimal. After a difficult year with the Giants, stepping aside to preserve his legacy as an analyst may be his best move.

As reported by Richard Deitsch of Sports Media Podcast, “Chris Simms announced this morning that he is out at Football Night In America. A source at NBC Sports confirms. Obviously NBC has changed up its NFL pregame show with the addition of Mike Tomlin.”

Deitsch makes a direct correlation between Tomlin’s hire and Simms departure. Hence, it’s safe to say that NBC will restructure quite a bit of things. Tomlin must be really expensive as well.

Simms was a staple on NBC programming

Simms appeared on both pregame and postgame shows on Sunday night for NBC. He made the announcement during his appearance on the Pro Football Talk Live show with Mike Florio. Simms will still appear on that show, despite PFT’s allegiance to NBC.

Simms played for seven years in the NFL and he is also the son of former Giants quarterback Phil Simms. He spent a decade with NBC Sports prior to this announcement. Hence, it’s not a light decision to make.

Tomlin might not even be there for years to come

Loyalty is not quite the priority in these cases. However, firing a decade-long servant for Tomlin, who might be there just for a year before returning to the NFL coaching scene might not be the best of looks. Hence, could NBC regret this? Not necessarily, but it could still be unlikely that Simms returns eventually.

During his presentation with the network, Tomlin made it clear this wasn’t a sudden move, but rather something that had been building over time. A Super Bowl victory wasn’t enough after the recent early exits in the playoffs

“It’s probably not an overnight decision, but it’s probably not something that I could articulate or share with people. There’s a loneliness with leadership. I just thought it was a good time for me, personally. And by that, I mean just where I am in life.”

Why did Mike Tomlin leave the Steelers?

While the personal aspect played a major role, Mike Tomlin also emphasized that his departure was about the Steelers as much as it was about himself. After several seasons without playoff success, he believed a new voice in the locker room could help re-energize the team.

“I thought it was a good time for the organization to be quite honest with you. We didn’t have a lot of success in the playoffs in recent years. There’s just some veteran players there. Guys like Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Chris Boswell. I just thought they were worthy of the excitement and optimism associated with new leadership.”

It’s a revealing admission from one of the league’s most respected coaches, acknowledging both the team’s recent shortcomings and the need for a fresh perspective. Rather than holding on, Tomlin chose to step aside at a moment he felt could benefit everyone involved.

“I just thought it’d be a great way to stay connected to the game and the awesome people in it, players, coaches, executives, and I’m excited about doing that on Sunday night and traveling to different venues and getting that feel for the environment.”

Mike Tomlin’s new job with NBC

Now, as he transitions into his role on television, Mike Tomlin leaves behind a legacy defined by consistency and a Super Bowl title, but also a decision that reflects self-awareness. For both him and the Steelers, it marks the beginning of a new era.

“I just thought it’d be awesome to share insight with fellow football lovers. I love to talk football. So, that’s just an exciting component for me. I got to admit, though, there’s going to be some anxiety about stepping into a new space, but good anxiety. It’s good to be uncomfortable, the growth associated with that. I’m fired up about it.”

Now serving as an analyst for NBC, Tomlin didn’t hesitate when asked about the team’s quarterback situation during his first on-air appearance. His answer made it clear who the starting QB will be.

“I’ll say it’s Aaron Rodgers. I just think Aaron. Being around him for twelve months, he got a love affair with the game of football. Not only the game, but the process. The informal moments, the development of younger guys, the interaction with teammates. I think he has an addiction to that and there’s only one way to feed it. Certainly, he is still capable and in really good shape. So, I think at the end of the day, he’ll play football.”

Mike Tomlin thinks Aaron Rodgers will return with Steelers

According to Mike Tomlin, the decision ultimately comes down to more than just physical ability, it’s about connection to the game itself. He emphasized that Aaron Rodgers thrives not only in competition, but in the daily routine, preparation, and relationships that come with being part of a team.

Tomlin also made it clear that ability is not a concern, pointing to Rodgers’ current condition and readiness. In his view, the combination of passion and capability makes a return feel inevitable with Mike McCarthy as head coach in Pittsburgh.

If Mike Tomlin’s read is correct, the Steelers may once again have clarity at quarterback in 2026 driven not by speculation, but by Rodgers’ own attachment to the game. So, the QB room would have Aaron Rodgers, Drew Allar and Will Howard. In this scenario, Mason Rudolph could be traded.