Mike McCarthy earns first win as Steelers head coach against Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy achieved his first victory, leading the team to a 30-27 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on September 27, 2026. This win follows a difficult start to McCarthy's tenure, with the Steelers scoring only 16 points in the first two games. McCarthy made critical personnel changes, including starting Brock Hoffman and Max Iheanachor, to improve the offensive line and overall performance. The Steelers generated 411 yards of offense, a significant improvement from previous weeks, and scored on their opening drive. McCarthy's strategic adjustments included script adjustments for the opening plays, which contributed to the team's success.

• 1:25 AMYahoo Sports — Saunders’ Steelers Takeaways: Mike McCarthy Deserves Credit for Bold Changes