Mike McCarthy’s coaching career is coming full circle as he prepares to make his debut with the Post Gazette. The Pittsburgh native will coach his first game with the Steelers against the Green Bay Packers, the organization that gave him his first opportunity to serve as an NFL head coach.
Mike McCarthy Faces Former Team in Steelers Preseason Debut
The jsonline.com travel to Acrisure Stadium for the opening preseason game. McCarthy previously coached the Packers from 2006 to 2018, leading the franchise to its fourth Super Bowl victory. That championship achievement prompted the city of Green Bay to name a street after him in 2014, with Mike McCarthy Way running alongside Ray Nitschke Field near the team’s training facility.
Offensive Line Battles and Wide Receiver Opportunities
Ahead of the matchup, McCarthy noted his primary focus remains on cleaning up pre-snap penalties. Meanwhile, the preseason opener offers a vital evaluation window for the Steelers’ roster, particularly at wide receiver and along the offensive line.
Strong performances in training camp have established Roman Wilson as a frontrunner for the No. 3 receiver job, showing clear chemistry with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Conversely, rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard has experienced a quieter start to camp while adjusting to the mental demands of playing with Rodgers. Rodgers noted that the hurdles faced by rookie receivers are roughly 90% mental regarding how they process the professional game.
With starters DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. likely sidelined due to recent injuries, young wideouts such as Max Hurleman, Brandon Smith, Germie Bernard, and Roman Wilson are expected to see extensive playing time. Along the offensive line, Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook are competing for full-time starting roles on the right side. Anderson has made 11 career starts—largely as an extra tackle in the jumbo package—while Cook, an undrafted free agent and former college quarterback, is attempting to follow in the footsteps of former undrafted linedefenders who developed into long-term starters for Pittsburgh.
Packers Prepare for Preseason Opener in Tough Conditions
On the visiting side, Green Bay quarterback Jordan Love expects to play in the preseason opener, though coaches must balance getting starters sharp against the risk of injury. The Packers enter the matchup facing high expectations and a rigorous NFC North division schedule.
For rookie kicker Trey Smack, the game brings an immediate challenge at jsonline.com, where the south end features notoriously brutal and unpredictable wind patterns created by the confluence of three rivers. Opposing kickers struggled significantly at the venue last year, converting just 77% of their attempts.
Additional storylines for Green Bay include free-agent cornerback Benjamin St-Juste competing for first-team reps ahead of Keisean Nixon, and a competitive pass rush battle in Jonathan Gannon’s defense while Micah Parsons recovers from an injury. Players such as Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, rookie Dani Dennis-Sutton, Brenton Cox Jr., Collin Oliver, and Arron Mosby are vying for snaps at defensive end and outside linebacker.
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