Though no longer permitted to be made public, leaks over the NFLPA annual “report cards” were inevitable. Per ESPN, at least two of those grades were leaked out Thursday. The Pittsburgh Steelers finished last among all 32 NFL teams with owner Art Rooney II against criticized for a perceived unwillingness to invest in the team.
From ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler.
“The Steelers received low grades in several categories, according to the results obtained by ESPN.
“[Steelers owner] Art Rooney ranks last in the league for willingness to invest in facilities, a trend reflected in the Steelers’ poor facility ratings across the board,” the survey said.
In a new category added this year, the Steelers had the lowest rated home field in the league “by a wide margin.””
Last year, the Steelers ranked 28th overall. This year, the organization fell to 32nd. Per ESPN, surveys were conducted during November and December with nearly 1,800 players on league rosters responding.
Though it’s impossible to now know every grade and how Pittsburgh stacked up across the board, the Steelers reportedly received dismal marks in key areas. The facility continues to be panned as one of the smallest and most basic in football without amenities and equipment found in newer and larger factifies. Receiving an F-grade, the locker room was named the NFL’s worst with players noting there’s only five bathroom stalls for the entire team.
As the article notes, the union added a new category over field conditions. Pittsburgh’s Acrisure Stadium was voted the worst. During the season, the field became subject to controversy after a Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns where even QB Aaron Rodgers questioned its safety. Veteran safety Miles Killebrew tore his ACL during the game.
Pittsburgh again ranked last in strength and conditioning, receiving ugly marks under head S&C coach Phil Matusz. New head coach Mike McCarthy largely cleaned out the conditioning staff along with other sweeping coaching changes. Hopefully, the team’s grades will improve.
The Steelers, however, ranked first among its training staff. Though not mentioned in the article, presumably, Mike Tomlin continued to be a highlight of the team. Of course, he resigned after the season and the players will be grading McCarthy in the future.
“We are not going to comment on a report that we have not seen in its entirety,” director of communications Burt Lauten told ESPN.
Earlier this month, an arbitrator ruled the NFLPA could not make team reports public. But leaks were always going to happen and the Steelers were once again crushed. In the past, Rooney has bristled against the criticism.
Around the NFL, the Miami Dolphins ranked No. 1 while the Minnesota Vikings placed second. The Arizona Cardinals finished 31st and the Cleveland Browns 30th.
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