Mike McCarthy takes over as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. And would like to continue working with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
by Mike Bootshagen
Mike McCarthy is the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers following the resignation of Mike Tomlin.
The NFL veteran is back after a year off and was able to answer questions from journalists at the press conference.
It didn’t take ten minutes before it was about his new, old quarterback: Aaron Rodgers.
Both know each other from their long time with the Green Bay Packers. The collaboration lasted 13 years. And brought a Super Bowl.
McCarthy would like “A-Rod” to continue. But the 42-year-old is said to be flirting with a farewell, according to “ESPN”.
McCarthy insists on Rodgers return
However, the rumor comes from the phase in which the Steelers had not yet signed McCarthy. Maybe that will change the mind of the veteran who thought so highly of Tomlin.
McCarthy wasted no time and immediately made it clear: he wants Rodgers back. When asked if he wanted to work with Rodgers, he replied tellingly: “Definitely.” There has already been an exchange between the two.
The 62-year-old doesn’t want to put Rodgers under pressure and points to his strengths: “I don’t know why I wouldn’t want him back. I saw the games and he was a great weapon for the team.”
And further: “It is important that such players take time after a painful break from the season. The last game was very emotional.”
Steelers Novum: McCarthy thinks offensively
General Manager Omar Khan and McCarthy are – for now – foregoing a deadline for Rodgers and are waiting for his decision. A similar situation to a year ago.
The Steelers took quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the last draft as a possible backup of the future. Howard later injured his hand and spent most of the season on the injured reserve list.
McCarthy was positive about the former Ohio State QB: “I’m excited about him. I’m excited to work with him. It would be nice to have Aaron back. But Will (Howard) and Mason (Rudolph) are two players I also want to work with.”
McCarthy is only the team’s fourth head coach since 1969 and the first with an offensive background during that time. He announced that he would be responsible for the offensive plays himself in the future.
