THE APEX TIMES
Steelers’ Mike McCarthy: Playing in Paris is a “big deal” for the NFL, and Pittsburgh comes focused on beating the Saints
Ahead of Steelers-Saints at Stade de France, coach Mike McCarthy framed the league’s first game in France as both a global showcase and a tight, October-ready challenge.
Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy called the team’s trip to Paris for an NFL matchup with the New Orleans Saints a “big deal,” emphasizing the significance of representing the league and the sport in a new country.
McCarthy said the NFL has never staged a game in France before, and that only two teams get to be part of this first visit. He described the week as a business trip with emotional and organizational weight for players and staff.
For Pittsburgh, the stakes are also straightforward, McCarthy said. He highlighted the importance of winning in October as teams move toward winter football, and he pointed to the Saints as excellent competition.
The game, Steelers-Saints, is scheduled as a standalone matchup on the league slate with a kickoff time of 9:30 a.m. Pittsburgh time (2:30 p.m. local) at Stade de France. McCarthy characterized it as a national-TV-type moment, one that typically heightens attention and preparation.
The Steelers also had to handle travel and weather logistics. McCarthy said inclement weather hit the area Friday and the team adjusted by not practicing outside at Stade de France as planned, instead working indoors and finding space to get players moving.
To manage the trip’s rhythm, McCarthy said Pittsburgh built extra sleep time into the front end of the week, and used meetings with medical staff and strength and conditioning as part of the planning. He also said the approach was to keep the schedule as normal as possible back home, citing a road game at Tampa Bay the week before and a divisional game against Cleveland afterward.
Why It Matters
- The Steelers and Saints are part of the NFL’s first-ever game in France, turning an October divisional-stage window into a global broadcast spotlight.
- McCarthy’s focus on schedule control underscores how time zone and weather factors can shape preparation for teams traveling internationally.
- For Pittsburgh, treating the event as more than a novelty is central to the win-now argument, with McCarthy stressing the importance of October victories.
- The matchup also connects to McCarthy’s earlier coaching experience with the Saints and his perspective on player development through football in Europe.
Key Facts
- Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said the Steelers-Saints game in Paris is a “big deal” for the organization and the NFL’s presence in Europe.
- McCarthy said the NFL has never previously staged a game in France, making the matchup the league’s first in the country.
- Steelers-Saints is scheduled to kick off at 9:30 a.m. Pittsburgh time (2:30 p.m. at Stade de France).
- McCarthy said the team adjusted Friday practice plans because of inclement weather near Stade de France.
- He described travel-management priorities including giving players more time to sleep earlier in the week and getting them moving after arrival.