A Pittsburgh Post-Gazette beat writer says the Steelers would have selected Mike McCarthy as head coach regardless of any suggestion from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The team completed the hiring after Rodgers returned to the roster following Mike Tomlin's departure.
Ray Fittipaldo stated that general manager Omar Khan has known McCarthy for many years from their time together in New Orleans. He added that this longstanding connection would have led the team to interview and ultimately hire the coach on its own merits.