INDIANAPOLIS - With a combined 18 years of experience as an NFL head coach with the Packers and Cowboys, Mike McCarthy has a well-established reputation that's preceding him in his transition to the Steelers.
Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports and the NFL Network passed along his impression of what Steelers fans should be anticipating on Steelers Nation Radio on the Steelers Audio Network.
"McCarthy has actually gotten, I don't want to say underrated but he's actually a better play-caller and a play-designer than maybe he gets credit for, he's good," Tice said.
As for the offense Tice expects McCarthy to run, "It's as traditional West Coast as it gets," Tice assessed.
"You're going to see a lot of quick passing game. If it's (Aaron) Rodgers (at quarterback), he's going to have more freedom to do 'smoke' routes (quick reads and decisions) to (wide receiver DK) Metcalf, where he's signaling stuff (at the line of scrimmage). (McCarthy is) going to give (Rodgers) that freedom. It's going to be a lot more 'gun' (shotgun formation) heavy. It's going to be a lot more plays (called) at the line.
"McCarthy's offense has kind of morphed into what Rodgers prefers. By default, it's going to work a little bit better, be a little more cohesive."
McCarthy's running game, in Tice's opinion, is "more of a complementary thing. It's West Coast, it's pass to set up the run. It's going to be more horizontally attacking. And then the run game is going to be more spread-look running."
Tice expects the Steelers to rely more on wide receivers-heavy formations and less on multiple-tight ends looks.
"That's generally what (McCarthy) would do, at least, in Green Bay," Tice said. "They had the skill players for that but also in Dallas he was the same way, as well."
SARRATT ON THE STEELERS: Part of the media process at the Combine involves local reporters asking prospects questions related to the team they cover.
Indiana wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, who started his college career at St. Francis in Loretto, Pa., before transferring to James Madison and eventually Indiana, had plenty to say when asked about the Steelers.
Here's Sarratt on the Steelers: "Man, the Steelers, they're a great organization, legendary organization. I've been watching them since I was a kid. I feel like it would be a great fit for me. They got a great culture going over there, and I would be excited playing for them."
And Sarratt on meeting with the Steelers: "Man, it was great, I've heard about Mike McCarthy since he was coaching Aaron Rodgers (in Green Bay) and doing his thing, he's a Super Bowl champion. So to be in front of him, just sitting there talking to him, it's very great."
And Sarratt on potentially playing with Rodgers: "Yeah, it'll be amazing. Aaron Rodgers, he's a dog, he's a goat, he's a Hall-of-Famer. I've been watching him since I was little. So it'll be amazing to just be with someone like that on the field and soak up the knowledge that he has."
Sarratt also brought Rodgers up when asked about making back-shoulder catches.
"Throughout the season, I sent (Indiana quarterback) Fernando (Mendoza) clips of Aaron Rodgers and (wide receiver) Devontae Adams when they used to do it. Devontae Adams would get his release off the line at around 13, 14 yards. He'll just, Aaron Rodgers would throw a zip back-shoulder. So I sent him those off to that.
"But the back-shoulders, I compete all the time now. Puke Nacua, he catches a lot. There's players everywhere that catch a lot of back-shoulders. So anytime I see one, I'm like, 'Okay, I can put that into my game because that's one of my strengths."
SAFETIES IN NUMBERS: Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles, Jr. posted a 4.27 40-yard dash, the fastest among defensive players at the Combine, the fastest by a safety at a Combine since 2003 and the ninth-fastest in Indy since 2003.
Safeties Robert Spears-Jennings of Oklahoma (4.32), Treydan Stukes of Arizona (4.33) and Dillon Theieneman of Oregon (4.35) also ran sub-4.36 40s.
SPEED WEEK: Missouri's Toriano Pride, Jr. had the best 40 among cornerbacks at 4.32.
The average 40 times for defensive linemen (4.83), linebackers (4.55), defensive backs (4.44) and tight ends (4.63) were all the fastest at a Combine since 2003.
TIGHT END ATHLETICISM: Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq (6-foot-31/8, 241 pounds) became the sixth player since 2003 to run a sub-4-4 40 (4.39) and post a vertical leap higher than 43" (431/2"). Sadiq outweighs the other five by at least 20 pounds. His sub-4.4 40 was the third by a player weighing at least 240 since 2003.
Take a look at Steelers players from the 2025 roster when they were at the NFL Scouting Combine
Wisconsin linebacker T.J. Watt poses for a headshot during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Charlotte defensive end Alex Highsmith poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Rice University place kicker Chris Boswell poses for a headshot during the 2014 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 20, 2014 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Southern Utah defensive back Miles Killebrew poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Oklahoma State running back Jaylen Warren poses for a headshot during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Wednesday, Mar. 2, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Aaron Doster via AP)
Florida Atlantic cornerback James Pierre poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III (01) poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Michigan State tight end Connor Heyward poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday, Mar. 1, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Ohio State defensive end Cam Heyward poses for a headshot during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 26 in Indianapolis, Ind. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Wisconsin defensive lineman Keeanu Benton poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Georgia offensive lineman Broderick Jones poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Thursday, March 2, 2023 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Florida linebacker Jeremiah Moon poses for a headshot during the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday, Mar. 3, 2022 in Indianapolis. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Purdue defensive back Cory Trice Jr. poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Penn State defensive back Joey Porter poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Georgia tight end Darnell Washington poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Oregon State offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
LSU linebacker Patrick Queen poses for a headshot during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
West Virginia offensive lineman Zach Frazier poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
Washington offensive lineman Troy Fautanu poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
South Dakota State offensive lineman Mason McCormick poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
Iowa defensive lineman Logan Lee poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Michigan wide receiver Roman Wilson poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Images for the NFL)
Texas defensive back Deshon Elliott poses for a headshot during the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey poses for a headshot during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers poses for a headshot during the 2017 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, March 3, 2017 in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Iowa defensive lineman Yahya Black (DL04) poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (DL15) poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Ohio State defensive lineman Jack Sawyer (DL64) poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Washington linebacker Carson Bruener (LB03) poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (RB16) poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Content Services for the NFL)
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (QB07) poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Indianapolis. (AJ Mast/AP Content Services for the NFL)
