Mike McCarthy has made it clear that he wants to run the football. And with both Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren in the backfield, that makes a lot of sense. At the same time, expect the passing game to remain a prominent part of the offense.
"This team is built (to be a power offense), and that's the way we'll play," McCarthy said May 28 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "You have to be able to beat teams any way you need to, and I think that's important. That's the importance of building a diverse offense. It'll always start with defense, running the football, special teams and the ability to score in whatever way we need to. That's what we're building."
Unlike his time in Dallas, McCarthy wants an offense built to withstand the rigors of a 17-game season in a cold-weather climate. When November, December and January arrive, teams need to be physical, and running the football is a key part of that identity. It just so happens that, based on metrics such as missed-tackle rate and yards after contact per carry, Dowdle and Warren could form one of the most difficult running back duos in the NFL to bring down.
At the same time, McCarthy remains rooted in West Coast offense principles. At its core, the West Coast offense treats the quick passing game as an extension of the run game. By pairing short, quick throws on early downs with a steady rushing attack, the offense can methodically move down the field, control possession and remain versatile while being less predictable.
The 2023 Cowboys provide a good example. It was McCarthy's first season as Dallas' offensive play caller, and it also produced the best year of Dak Prescott's career. While the Cowboys still pushed the ball downfield, ranking 10th in the NFL in deep-throw percentage, they also ranked third with 236 first-down pass attempts. Those throws carried an average depth of target of just 7.0 yards, the seventh-lowest mark in the league.
Prescott also got the ball out much quicker under McCarthy, particularly after McCarthy took over play-calling duties. In 2018 and 2019, the two seasons before McCarthy became the Cowboys' head coach, Prescott averaged 2.85 seconds from snap to throw. In 2023, that number dropped to 2.71 seconds, tied for the eighth-fastest release time in the NFL.
McCarthy will want to run the football. Even that 2023 Cowboys offense featured an efficient ground game, ranking 11th in rush EPA (expected points added) and ninth in rush success rate.
But the quick passing game will remain a key component of McCarthy's offense, and he'll be implementing it with Aaron Rodgers, one of the best quarterbacks ever to operate within the West Coast system. It's no coincidence that Rodgers spent 13 of his 21 NFL seasons under McCarthy and owns the league's all-time records for passer rating (102.2) and lowest interception percentage (1.4%).
Remember, McCarthy said he wants to build a diverse offense while also embracing a power identity. Those concepts aren't mutually exclusive. The running game may serve as the foundation, but the quick passing attack will remain a major part of the offense. That's one reason the Steelers are still likely to throw the ball more often than they run it, even as they strive to become a more physical team.
THE ASYLUM
McCarthy wants power, but not predictability
Mike McCarthy has made it clear that he wants to run the football. And with both Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren in the backfield, that makes a lot of sense. At the same time, expect the passing game to remain a prominent part of the offense.
"This team is built (to be a power offense), and that's the way we'll play," McCarthy said May 28 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. "You have to be able to beat teams any way you need to, and I think that's important. That's the importance of building a diverse offense. It'll always start with defense, running the football, special teams and the ability to score in whatever way we need to. That's what we're building."
Unlike his time in Dallas, McCarthy wants an offense built to withstand the rigors of a 17-game season in a cold-weather climate. When November, December and January arrive, teams need to be physical, and running the football is a key part of that identity. It just so happens that, based on metrics such as missed-tackle rate and yards after contact per carry, Dowdle and Warren could form one of the most difficult running back duos in the NFL to bring down.
At the same time, McCarthy remains rooted in West Coast offense principles. At its core, the West Coast offense treats the quick passing game as an extension of the run game. By pairing short, quick throws on early downs with a steady rushing attack, the offense can methodically move down the field, control possession and remain versatile while being less predictable.
The 2023 Cowboys provide a good example. It was McCarthy's first season as Dallas' offensive play caller, and it also produced the best year of Dak Prescott's career. While the Cowboys still pushed the ball downfield, ranking 10th in the NFL in deep-throw percentage, they also ranked third with 236 first-down pass attempts. Those throws carried an average depth of target of just 7.0 yards, the seventh-lowest mark in the league.
Prescott also got the ball out much quicker under McCarthy, particularly after McCarthy took over play-calling duties. In 2018 and 2019, the two seasons before McCarthy became the Cowboys' head coach, Prescott averaged 2.85 seconds from snap to throw. In 2023, that number dropped to 2.71 seconds, tied for the eighth-fastest release time in the NFL.
McCarthy will want to run the football. Even that 2023 Cowboys offense featured an efficient ground game, ranking 11th in rush EPA (expected points added) and ninth in rush success rate.
But the quick passing game will remain a key component of McCarthy's offense, and he'll be implementing it with Aaron Rodgers, one of the best quarterbacks ever to operate within the West Coast system. It's no coincidence that Rodgers spent 13 of his 21 NFL seasons under McCarthy and owns the league's all-time records for passer rating (102.2) and lowest interception percentage (1.4%).
Remember, McCarthy said he wants to build a diverse offense while also embracing a power identity. Those concepts aren't mutually exclusive. The running game may serve as the foundation, but the quick passing attack will remain a major part of the offense. That's one reason the Steelers are still likely to throw the ball more often than they run it, even as they strive to become a more physical team.
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