Though the Pittsburgh Steelers are a far cry from having one of the NFL’s nicest team facilities to the point where Najee Harris felt like he was in a different world stepping into the place the Los Angeles Chargers call home, not everyone is displeased with them. At least, the food’s good. Citing one of several reasons why new CB Darius Slay chose Pittsburgh over several other teams, a solid cafeteria menu gave him peace of mind. And stomach.
“Got there, enjoyed my little time,” Slay said on his Big Play Slay podcast. “Ate good. They got good food at the cafeteria. That was a big question. A lot of organizations don’t have good food in the cafeteria. Some teams be eating outside the cafeteria. I like to eat at the cafeteria. One thing I can tell you the Philadelphia Eagles had some of the best food. I just went [to Pittsburgh], Pennsylvania got some good cooks. I ain’t been disappointed in Pennsylvania yet.”
Grades in the Steelers’ 2025 NFLPA report card were mixed. They received a B- in the “Food/Dining Area” category, ranking 21st out of 32 teams. They scored 20th in taste and freshness and 24th in the dining area itself, a reflection of an older and smaller facility compared to the palaces that exist in some cities.
“That was my big question about the cafeteria,” Slay said. “Because I’ll be staying alone. I don’t want to cook when I get home so I’m bringing some food to the house. If I can’t bring food to the house, boy it would be trouble. It means I would have to hire a chef and all kinds of stuff. So they saved me some money.”
A to-go box to avoid having to cook after work. NFL players. They’re just like us.
Of course, Pittsburgh could’ve pumped up its menu knowing it was courting in-demand free agents like Slay. Hopefully he won’t be disappointed when the third “Sloppy Joe Day” of the month comes around in September.
Unless the Steelers build at an entirely new location, they’re never going to have the top NFL facility even if they renovate. Their plot of land is too small, tucked away in Pittsburgh’s South Side next to a literal set of train tracks. That’s not their draw. Their draw has been, and needs to continue to be, the place to win. A harder sell without a playoff win to show in eight years much less a Lombardi in the trophy case. It makes Mike Tomlin’s presence all the more important, as he still is one of the NFL’s most-liked and respected coaches by players and someone Slay’s spoken highly of over his career.
But Art Rooney II has listened to at least some of the player’s concerns. Equipment, like a sauna, has been added. The grades have, albeit slowly, gotten better. And failing having the best facility, breaking precedent in trades and contracts is another way to secure the game’s best talent. Some Southern home cookin’ doesn’t hurt either.
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