Mike McCarthy returns to Pittsburgh to coach his first Steelers preseason game against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Acrisure Stadium, meeting an Aaron Rodgers-led squad as both teams evaluate key rookie battles and roster adjustments.
Mike McCarthy’s Pittsburgh Homecoming Against His Former Team
The coaching career of Mike McCarthy comes full circle as the Pittsburgh native leads the Steelers onto the field for their preseason opener against the team that gave him his first opportunity to be an NFL head coach. McCarthy guided the Green Bay Packers from 2006 to 2018, capturing a Super Bowl title that earned him a namesake street in Green Bay, where Mike McCarthy Way runs alongside Ray Nitschke Field near the franchise’s training facility.
Despite the deep roots in Wisconsin, McCarthy deflected sentimental reflection ahead of the matchup at Acrisure Stadium, pointing instead to persistent training camp mistakes.
“Our history there is obviously long and the success we had there, … You get to spots like this, the personal relationships or the people you think about, … the professional connection to Green Bay, that’s part of my life. But I’m more worried about our pre-snap penalties right now, to be honest with you.”
Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach
McCarthy took over the Steelers earlier this year to replace Mike Tomlin, who stepped down in January following a 19-year tenure with the organization.
Aaron Rodgers Settles the Quarterback Debate for Preseason Opener
Intense speculation surrounded whether Aaron Rodgers would suit up against his former team, but Rodgers appeared for warm-ups in street clothes, putting the starting quarterback debate to rest for the opening exhibition. Earlier in August, Rodgers — who has indicated that the upcoming campaign will be his final season — revealed that McCarthy intended to deploy him for more preseason snaps than originally anticipated.
With Rodgers watching from the sideline, young backup signal-callers Will Howard and Drew Allar stand to gain valuable playing time alongside veteran backup Mason Rudolph.
Wide Receiver Battles and Rookie Hurdles in Training Camp
Pittsburgh’s receiving corps features a clear front-runner for the No. 3 spot alongside established starters DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., both of whom are expected to sit out due to recent injuries. Roman Wilson has established a strong rapport with Rodgers during training camp, putting him well ahead of rookie second-round pick Germie Bernard.
Bernard faces the steep learning curve typical of rookie wideouts breaking into a complex professional offense. Addressing the hurdles young receivers face, Rodgers emphasized that physical traits take a backseat to cognitive processing.
Rodgers noted that even the fastest athletes play slowly without complete playbook mastery, drawing a comparison to former teammate James Jones, whose elite processing speed compensated for average speed in the 40-yard dash. Additional reps are expected for young wideouts Max Hurleman and Brandon Smith as the team evaluates depth.
Offensive Line Shakeups and Defensive Line Emergence
The trenches offer vital evaluation opportunities for the coaching staff. Spencer Anderson and Dylan Cook are competing for permanent starting roles on the right side of the offensive line. Anderson is vying for the starting right guard spot against veteran Brock Hoffman, while Cook sits atop the depth chart at tackle following Broderick Jones’ season-ending neck injury in November.
On the defensive side, stout run defender Gabriel Rubio is emerging as a legitimate contender to secure a spot on the Steelers’ 53-man roster.
Green Bay’s Key Position Battles Under the Lights
Across the field, the Packers arrive in Pittsburgh facing their own roster battles under head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Jordan Love. Acrisure Stadium presents an immediate test for rookie kicker Trey Smack, who must contend with notorious wind patterns generated by the confluence of the three rivers on the south end.
In the secondary, free-agent cornerback Benjamin St-Juste has captured first-team reps ahead of Keisean Nixon. Standing at 6-foot-3, St-Juste provides size that could prove useful against tall wide receivers, though his performance against the run game remains a focal point for the coaching staff. Meanwhile, the Packers’ pass rush features a tight competition for outside linebacker spots in Jonathan Gannon’s defense while Micah Parsons recovers from injury, with Lukas Van Ness joined by challengers Barryn Sorrell, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Brenton Cox Jr., Collin Oliver, and Arron Mosby.
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