Steelers' Christian Kuntz Questioned Why The League Is Motivated To Run Short Weeks

The Pittsburgh Steelers' tough schedule has been a topic of conversation since before the season began. Since returning from their Week 9 bye, the team has begun working through a gauntlet of difficult games, including all of their AFC North games, plus opponents like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. To make it even more challenging, the Steelers face two weeks with only four days to prepare between some of their toughest games. This has raised concerns about the league's motivations. 

The first set of back-to-back games came during Week 11 and 12 as they played the Baltimore Ravens and then turned around and played the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens are widely considered the Steelers' biggest rivalry, and much is made of how physical these games are for both teams. That's why it isn't surprising that the league included them in both sets of games. Pittsburgh will play the Ravens for the second time on December 21st and then quickly turn around and play the Chiefs on Christmas Day. 

On a recent episode of his show, The Christian Kuntz Podcast, Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz was joined by his teammate Mason McCormick. Kuntz's co-host, Vinnie Candelore, said that he feels it is "just ridiculous" that they play those games so close together. He asked Kuntz and McCormick what their mindset was after completing the first of those two quick turnaround games, which included losing to the Browns during Thursday Night Football. 

"The short week, they're tough, dude," admitted Kuntz. "They're terrible. I feel like it's just a money grab for the NFL and Amazon Prime. But our mindset, Coach T [Mike Tomlin], will instill this in you: we want that, we love that, we love the adversity, especially late in the year. I know you haven't been around, but the last couple of years, we weren't in this position where we are; we weren't 8-3. It's an NFL team, every game's a tough game. They got to deal with a short week, too."

Kuntz said that he knows McCormick is in his first season in the Steel City, but Pittsburgh has mounted late-season comebacks in the past. He said he was just telling someone they have been in the position before where everyone has counted them out, and they have gone on a tear and won enough games to make the postseason. The narrative that a team can't possibly be successful against a team like the Chiefs is wrong. He cited the way the Carolina Panthers almost beat the Chiefs recently.  

The Steelers drafted McCormick out of South Dakota State in the fourth round of 2024. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin usually allows his rookies, especially later-round ones, time to develop before thrusting them into a starting role. However, McCormick has had to develop a bit faster thanks to an injury suffered by guard James Daniels. He agreed with Kuntz, saying that he is focusing on what he can control. 

"You can't control it either, so there's no point in wasting time or energy thinking about something you can't control," said McCormick.

The Steelers face the Cincinnati Bengals for the first time this season in their upcoming game. Despite the Bengals' 4-7 record, they are improving, and their recent losses were close ones. 

Steelers Need To Beware Of The Bengals

The one benefit to the short week is that the Steelers have had a mini-bye before facing the Bengals. That's a good thing because Brian Batko from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said the Bengals bring something scary to the game: desperation. 

While the Steelers, at 8-3, seem destined for the postseason, the Bengals are on the outside looking in. While Joe Burrow has been getting hot, they haven't been able to win consistently. Batko believes they will be highly motivated to beat the Steelers, both in hopes of keeping their dream alive and wrecking things for the Steelers. 

What do you think about the league scheduling so many close games? Click to comment below.

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