Clifton Brown

Pittsburgh Steelers: Some Former Steelers Not Happy With Mike McCarthy Hire

After the Steelers announcedan agreement with Mike McCarthyto become their next head coach on Saturday, reaction was mixed among media, fans, and former players.

The 62-year-old McCarthy won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in the 2010 season. He has also built a strong reputation for working with quarterbacks a list that includes Joe Montana, Aaron Rodgers, and Dak Prescott.

However, former Steelers and Ravens running back Le'Veon Bell was not optimistic about McCarthy having success.

Josh Yobe of The Athletic thought McCarthy's background as someone who was born and raised in Pittsburgh carried too much weight.

Many Steelers fans on social media were not happy with the choice, but President Arthur Rooney II said McCarthy's experience with quarterbacks was a major factor. As for the negative reaction among Steelers fans, Rooney said he was not concerned.

"We're really not worried about winning the initial press conference. It's about picking the coach we believe will help us win games," Rooney saidvia Bob Labriola of the teams website. "Social media really doesn't enter into it. And none of that will matter once we're starting to play games."

McCarthy and Rodgers were together for 13 seasons in Green Bay (2006-18) and won a Super Bowl. That long relationship could entice Rodgers to return for another season in Pittsburgh, but Rooney said McCarthy's career stands on its own merit. He has a 174-112-2 record over 18 seasons with the Packers and Dallas Cowboys.

"We decided to bring Mike on because we believe that he's the right coach for us at this point to help lead us to a championship," Rooney said. "We don't know what Aaron's plans are right now, and that did not weigh heavily in the decision.

"We'll see where Aaron is, and we've left the door open, but obviously we all have to sit down and see if that makes sense. So that'll happen sometime in the next month or so. But the decision was made based on Mike being the coach we want, and it really had very little to do with whether Aaron is going to be back or not."

Cleveland Browns: Will Browns Hire Nate Scheeleese After Monday Meeting?

Are the Browns close to naming their next head coach?

Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Browns were meeting with Los Angeles Rams Pass Game Coordinator Nate Sheelhaase Monday in Los Angeles.

Cleveland's list of candidates could be narrowing. According to multiple reports, Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Coordinator Grant Udinskiwithdrew his name from considerationon Monday after signing a new deal. Udinski had interviewed twice with the Browns and was thought to be a finalist.

The 35-year-oldScheelhaase has been one of the hottest nameson this year's coaching carousel. The Ravens were one of several teams to interview him for their head coach opening.

With the Rams losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Sunday's NFC Championship game, the Browns quickly pivoted to meet with Scheelhaase. The Browns have cast a wide search and announced thatAnthony Lynn was the 10th candidate to interviewon Sunday.

Cincinnati Bengals: Orlando Brown Jr. Loves Playing for Zac Taylor

With Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh, and Kevin Stefanski no longer coaching in the AFC North, Zac Taylor of the Bengals has the longest tenure in the division, entering his seventh season.

Bengals left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who began his career with the Ravens, is glad Cincinnati has stuck with Taylor.

"I've said this before. I'd kill for Zac," Brown saidvia Geoff Hobson of the Bengals website. "It's taken for granted from the outside world when it comes to Zac and its noise. I'm very thankful that ownership and everybody has been able to come together on the same page and proceed to stick together and work as one."

The Bengals have missed the playoffs the past three seasons, but Brown views the division as wide-open next season, especially if the Bengals stay reasonably healthy.

"We're close, though," Brown said. "I think in all reality, our division knows that."

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