Mike DeFabo

Steelers 7-round mock draft: A trade up in Round 1, but not for a QB A projection of how the Steelers will spend their projected 12 picks when they host the draft.

My first mock draft of the szn features:
- A first-round trade up, but not for a QB
- A WR coached by Hines Ward
- An ultra-physical CB
- A QB with a connection to Mike McCarthy
- A mullet-wearing OL who just belongs in Pittsburgh

www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

YouTube video by The Yinziders Penguins hockey talk with Phil Borque + What can the Steelers learn from the Super Bowl?

This week on The Yinziders with @jennaharner.bsky.social

The Ol’ 29er, Phil Bourque, catches us up on the Penguins’ surprising season. How Kyle Dubas assembled a contender, why Dan Muse is pushing the right buttons and a few moves to watch ahead of the deadline.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=I1DD...

What will Mike McCarthy’s Steelers offense look like? His old playbook holds some clues You can count on at least some West Coast concepts on Pittsburgh's North Shore in 2026.

What will Mike McCarthy’s offense look like in Pittsburgh? His old playbook holds some clues

www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

What will Mike McCarthy’s Steelers offense look like? His old playbook holds some clues You can count on at least some West Coast concepts on Pittsburgh's North Shore in 2026.

What will Mike McCarthy’s offense look like in Pittsburgh? Let's start with a few pages from his 2004 Saints playbook.

How West Coast turned to Texas Coast and what it might mean for a familiar QB on the North Shore:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Here's a running list of the known hires on Mike McCarthy's staff:

Steelers hire former Vikings assistant Brian Angelichio as offensive coordinator Ex-Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., who will be a defensive backs coach for Pittsburgh, was also among the assistants hired.

Mike McCarthy's staff continues to take shape. Brian Angelichio has been named OC, and Joe Whitt Jr. has been named assistant head coach/secondary coach.

Additionally, Frank Cignetti Jr. will be Senior Offensive Assistant, per source.

Here's more: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

What will Mike McCarthy’s offense look like in Pittsburgh? His old playbook holds some clues www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

What will Mike McCarthy’s Steelers offense look like? His old playbook holds some clues

www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

This season in Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers leaned on many WCO principles -- from his very first throw of the season until the final drive in Week 18.

Here's a variation of the same Dragon concept (CAIII slant/ Gainwell flat) to kickstart the game-winning drive against the Ravens.

When Mike McCarthy took over play calling in Dallas in 2023, he turned his West Coast offense into the Texas Coast offense with many "college" concepts like the read-option, RPOs, tempo, no-huddle and motion.

Still, many of the WCO staples, like Dragon (slant/flat), remained.

In Green Bay, McCarthy's WCO philosophy and Aaron Rodgers' strong, accurate arm led to seven Pro Bowl appearances, two MVP awards and a Super Bowl victory in 13 years.

Here during Rodgers' 2014 MVP season, he's running the Dragon concept (Jordy Nelson slant/ Randall Cobb flat).

A young Mike McCarthy became a West Coast offense "believer" at Pitt, where he was two degrees of separation from Bill Walsh himself.

In 2000-2004 as the OC in New Orleans, McCarthy passed out his own playbook. It featured many WCO staple concepts, including Dragon (slant/flat).

Find us in Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0YHy...

YouTube: m.youtube.com/watch?v=PsD2...

Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

YouTube video by The Yinziders Mike McCarthy rounds out Steelers staff + insight from a writer who covered him in Dallas

This week on The Yinziders with @jennaharner.bsky.social:

🏈Mike McCarthy’s staff is coming together. A look at what he’s assembled.

🤠Cowboys writer Jon Machota gives us some insight into McCarthy’s five-year tenure in Dallas.

🐶 Zeke’s Super Bowl picks.

Subscribe!

m.youtube.com/watch?v=PsD2...

Steelers set to hire Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator: Sources It is arguably the most important position on new head coach Mike McCarthy's first Steelers coaching staff.

“There’s no Pat Graham playbook,” he told The Athletic in 2024. “Yeah, there’s stuff that comes from my NE time, my time at GB. But to me, it’s all about who do you have?”

Here’s more on the next Steelers DC and a malleable philosophy shaped by mentors: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

The Steelers are signing wide receiver A.T. Perry to a futures contract, the team announced.

A two-time first-team All-ACC WR at Wake Forest, Perry was a sixth-round pick by the Saints in 2023. He's nearly 6-4 and ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the 2023 combine.

My Alma mater, Greater Latrobe, is hosting an event called the Rockdown to benefit @bloodcancerunited.bsky.social and the school publications.

I’m sharing a QR code below. I appreciate anyone who considers making a small donation to support a good cause.

Mike McCarthy is the new Steelers head coach — what we learned at his press conference Podcast Episode · The Yinziders · 01/28/2026 · 29m

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/5TSB...

Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

YouTube video by The Yinziders Mike McCarthy is the new Steelers head coach — what we learned at his press conference

This week on The Yinziders:

@jennaharner.bsky.social and I discuss what we learned at Mike McCarthy’s introductory presser. What the hire means for Aaron Rodgers and why the staff is so critical.

Plus, someone stole Jenna’s parking chair!

Subscribe in YouTube: m.youtube.com/watch?v=2YxL...

It was an emotional day for Mike McCarthy, as the Pittsburgh native was introduced as the Steelers head coach:

Mike McCarthy says he wants Aaron Rodgers back with Steelers in 2026 "Definitely, I don't see why you wouldn't," McCarthy said at his introductory news conference.

Mike McCarthy on if he'd like Aaron Rodgers back: "Definitely. I don't see why you wouldn't."

The new Steelers head coach has already spoken with Aaron, but said that he also understands the importance of time away before the QB makes a decision: www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is closing and a lot of personal friends are losing jobs. The Washington Post is in the midst of massive layoffs. The entire journalism industry is collapsing. Either decide you want to support it or move on. Stop acting personally offended I’m trying to make a living

Steelers owner Art Rooney II: ‘We’ve left the door open’ for Aaron Rodgers’ return

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

Steelers’ McCarthy hire has everything to do with a QB, but not the one you’re thinking of Aaron Rodgers might reunite with his old coach in Pittsburgh, but McCarthy's tenure will be judged by what comes after.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

Whether Aaron Rodgers returns to the Steelers in 2026 or not, the Mike McCarthy hire should be judged in one way:

Can he get Pittsburgh out of this cycle of veteran Band-Aids — and fast?

Thanks, Dan. Appreciate you reading

The Mike McCarthy hire has everything to do with the QB — but not necessarily the one you’re thinking of

Column on how the new era should be judged: www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

Steelers’ McCarthy hire has everything to do with a QB, but not the one you’re thinking of Aaron Rodgers might reunite with his old coach in Pittsburgh, but McCarthy's tenure will be judged by what comes after.

Steelers' Mike McCarthy hire has everything to do with the QB — just not the one you're thinking of

Column on today's news and how this decision will (and should) ultimately be judged:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

The Pittsburgh Steelers' search for a head coach continues. Christopher Carter and Mike DeFabo look at if they should consider Klint Kubiak or other coaches with offensive backgrounds. Other names that have been brought up are Klay Kubiak, Nate Scheelhaase and Mike McCarthy, but how serious are they Should Steelers Look Harder at Klint Kubiak, Offensive Coaches? | Inside Mike Tomlin's Stepping Down

Locked on #Steelers Thursday w/Mike DeFabo

- Should they target Klint or Klay Kubiak?
- Benefits of offensive minds in coaching field
- Andy Weidl interviewing w/Falcons?
- Mike's insights into Tomlin's stepping down

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