The Pittsburgh Steelers just landed at the very bottom of the NFL. ESPN’s senior NFL writer Kalyn Kahler obtained and published the 2026 NFLPA report card grades for all 32 franchises, and Pittsburgh ranked dead last.
The survey, conducted between November and December 2025, covered 1,759 active NFL players grading their franchises across multiple categories.
The results were not supposed to go public. An NFL arbitration ruling on Feb 13 blocked the NFLPA from releasing them. They leaked anyway. ESPN got hold of the full report, and the fallout hit immediately.
First Take addressed it on Friday, and Stephen A. Smith, the outspoken ESPN personality and co-host, had a lot to say.
Stephen A. did not hold back. On First Take, he said:
“No wonder Mike Tomlin left. … This organization under Art Rooney II, I mean right now it looks like a disgrace compared to what his family has established for so many years.”@stephenasmith responds to the Steelers receiving an F on their NFLPA report card 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/9E85QRbaxt
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 27, 2026
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Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith looks on before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Art Rooney II’s Indifference to Facility Investment Is Costing Pittsburgh Dearly
Pittsburgh received an F grade in the treatment of families and team travel. The locker room and home game field each received an F-minus. According to Kahler’s ESPN report, players noted the facility “has only five bathroom stalls for the entire team.” That detail, more than any letter grade, puts the problem in plain view.
Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh’s home field, ranked worst in the league by a wide margin in the new home field category. Players cited poor maintenance and wear from hosting University of Pittsburgh and local high school games.
Ownership fared poorly as well. Steelers owner Art Rooney II received a D-minus. The report stated he ranked last in the league for willingness to invest in facilities. In 2024, Rooney dismissed past report cards, telling reporter Mark Kaboly:
“It doesn’t get presented to us, it gets presented to the media. So, as far as I’m concerned, it’s a media opportunity for the players association as opposed to a serious effort of constructive criticism.”
This is the first time in four years Pittsburgh has finished last. They were 28th in both 2024 and 2025.
Jan 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy (right) speaks at a press conference introducing him as the next head coach of the Steelers as owner Art Rooney II (left) listens in at PNC Champions Club at Acrisure Stadium.. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Jan 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy (right) speaks at a press conference introducing him as the next head coach of the Steelers as owner Art Rooney II (left) listens in at PNC Champions Club at Acrisure Stadium.. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
How the Steelers’ Facilities Grade Connects Directly to Mike Tomlin’s Departure
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin leaves the field following an AFC Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin leaves the field following an AFC Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Mike Tomlin, who coached Pittsburgh for 18 seasons before stepping down, was the only Steeler to receive an A. That contrast between the coaching grade and the facility grades tells its own story.
The Steelers’ senior director of communications, Burt Lauten, told ESPN the team had no comment.
Pittsburgh enters the 2026 season with a new coaching staff and the same front office. If Rooney continues treating player feedback as a PR problem rather than an operational one, these grades are unlikely to improve, and the franchise’s ability to attract and retain talent could suffer well beyond a leaked report card.