Steelers training camp: Mike McCarthy’s thumbprint already visible in Pittsburgh

July 31, 2026 - 21:50

The Pittsburgh Steelers are just a few days into training camp, but the influence of new offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy is impossible to miss. While the pads are still coming on and the real hitting starts later this week, the structure and tempo of practice already look different from anything the team ran under previous coordinators.

McCarthy, who won a Super Bowl as head coach in Green Bay, is not wasting any time installing his system. The biggest change is the pace of the offense. Drills are faster, the huddle is quicker, and there is a clear emphasis on getting the play called and the ball snapped before the defense can settle. Players have noted that the practice script is longer and more detailed, with situational football being drilled from the very first session.

The quarterbacks, including Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, are getting equal reps with the first team early on, which is a departure from the usual veteran-first approach. McCarthy wants to see what both can do in his system before making any decisions. He is also spending a lot of time with the offensive line, working on specific blocking angles and pre-snap adjustments that were not a focus last year.

What stands out most is the energy. McCarthy is loud, hands-on, and constantly correcting mistakes on the spot. He is not just calling plays from the sideline. He is in the middle of every drill, coaching footwork for receivers and timing for quarterbacks. The message is clear: this is his offense, and he is going to run it his way. The players seem to be responding, and the early returns look promising for a unit that desperately needed a fresh approach.