The Mike McCarthy era in Pittsburgh is barely underway, but the new head coach is already earning credit for one side of the ball. The Steelers‘ defense, long seen as a sturdy but predictable unit, has been ranked eighth in the NFL heading into the 2025 season by USA Today‘s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz.
That ranking comes with a caveat. Middlehurst-Schwartz credits McCarthy and the organization for bringing in new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, whose more varied and dynamic approach could finally shake up a group that had gone stale. “Never known as a franchise to embrace radical change, the Steelers once again pursued a steady route as they tasked Mike McCarthy with leading the post-Mike Tomlin transition,” he writes.
Still, the numbers suggest a potential breakthrough. The Steelers own the league’s highest-paid collection of defensive talent, and Graham’s scheme might be the key to unlocking it. Middlehurst-Schwartz notes that Pittsburgh hasn’t posted a top-10 finish in total defense since 2021. If that changes, the ripple effect could be massive.
After all, there’s Aaron Rodgers under center. The four-time MVP has already won a Super Bowl with McCarthy in Green Bay, and the pairing has raised expectations to a level Pittsburgh hasn’t seen in years. A defense that holds opponents down would take the pressure off Rodgers and allow the offense to breathe.
There are loose ends, though. The standoff with cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has yet to be resolved. Middlehurst-Schwartz says the Steelers can’t afford to let that situation boil over. But if it settles, the ingredients are there for a genuine turnaround.
For now, the praise is a positive sign. McCarthy hasn’t coached a down for Pittsburgh yet, but the early returns on his staff decisions are already turning heads. Whether that translates to wins remains to be seen, but the pieces are in place.
