A recent analysis highlights Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy's tendency to pass on second down after first-down incompletions. The study ranks him in the middle of NFL playcallers but notes his approach aligns with data favoring throws over runs in those situations.
Analyst Ryan Paganetti examined play-calling from 2022 through 2025 across 25 coaches. McCarthy posted a pass rate above 56 percent on second-and-10 after an incompletion, placing him 13th on the list.
Data from the study indicated passes in this scenario produced better results than runs, including a 16.6 percentage point edge in success rate. The research excluded end-of-half and garbage-time plays to focus on standard situations.
McCarthy, now leading the Steelers, is expected to use more 11 personnel formations with three receivers. The team's traditional emphasis on the run game may face adjustments as a result.
