The Pittsburgh Steelers are undergoing a distinct identity shift under new head coach Mike McCarthy, and former offensive lineman Willie Colon believes fans are witnessing a complete cultural overhaul.
Speaking on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” Colon reflected on his time playing under legendary coaches Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin before breaking down how McCarthy’s approach marks a noticeable break from tradition.
“I was fortunate enough to go through a Bill Cowher training camp, where it was hard-nosed, volatile, and in your face,” Colon shared. “Then a young, fresh-faced Mike Tomlin comes in, he turns boys into men in a week in training camp. This training camp was different for the Steelers. It was more about reps and volume and high
tempo, and this was more about creating an ecosystem for these young quarterbacks.”
"This training camp was different for the @steelers"
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) September 1, 2026
- @willcolon66 on his former team now being led by Mike McCarthy 👀 pic.twitter.com/HeTtxezQCx
That tactical shift is reflected in roster construction. Pittsburgh opted to carry four quarterbacks while keeping just nine offensive linemen, a stark departure for a franchise historically rooted in ground-and-pound football and physical line play.
Colon raised eyebrows at that structural gamble, noting, “You want to kind of keep as many big, ugly guys up front to protect the old GOAT.”
The roster dynamics reflect an offensive ambition focused on explosive passing play rather than traditional clock management. After ranking 15th in scoring, Pittsburgh is aiming for a top-tier offense. Defensive depth has also been reallocated, with the team keeping only three safeties on the initial roster.
While these unconventional moves create pre-season anxiety, Colon emphasized that organizational backing remains firm.
“This thing is happening right before our eyes, and for a lot of Steelers fans, they’re trying to figure out if this is good, if it’s not,” Colon concluded. “Nobody knows until the ball rolls out there. But you have to trust Mike McCarthy. The Rooney’s and the powers that be trust Mike McCarthy. So this whole culture, this whole branding, everything is revamping right before our eyes.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Is Mike McCarthy overhauling the Steelers' cultural identity?
