Steelers Fans Misinterpreted Art Rooney II's Recent Comments: "Don't Lump Us In With These Freaking Terrible Organizations"

Pittsburgh Steelers fans waited anxiously to hear what Owner and Team President Art Rooney II would say about how the 2024 season ended. After the Wild Card loss at the end of the 2023 season, Rooney told fans that he was also frustrated with the lack of playoff success and found it unacceptable. Since the team had the same results in 2024, fans expected outrage; they expected sweeping change, but that didn't happen. 

Instead, Rooney defended Head Coach Mike Tomlin and the coaching staff. Recently, Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show was asked by his co-host Chris Mack on their podcast Kaboly and Mack about Rooney's comments to the media.  

Mack told Kaboly he disliked how he came across in some interviews, particularly with Ashley Liotus from WTAE. Rooney seemed to be all excuses and only pointed out what's gone well. Kaboly said he interpreted Rooney's comments differently. 

"I think he was just fed up," explained Kaboly. "This was probably his fourth or fifth round of interviews and he's well aware of what's being said around the league, nationally, locally about his franchise. I think he got to the point of saying, 'What are we talking about here? We're not 2-15 every year. At least we're winning eight, nine, 10 games every year. Don't lump me in with those garbage teams.' That's how I took it. Ok, we still need to make playoffs, we're still not getting done what we want to get done, but don't lump us in with these freaking terrible organizations that do nothing but lose, teams that never win the Super Bowl, and only win three or four games."

Rooney has been asked practically the same questions in every interview. However, as a lawyer, it isn't surprising that Rooney carefully crafts his responses. That didn't make Mack feel any better. He said that hearing Rooney talk on and on about the team's prior success makes him think, if you know, then you can do it again.

Kaboly said the Kansas City Chiefs and the New England Patriots have ruined Super Bowls for every normal team. He called them outliers, adding it makes it impossible for other teams to compete. He believes that in 20 years, we will look back at the past two decades as the golden age of dynasties, and they won't exist anymore.  

"You think the Packers, 'Oh, they are great,'" added Kaboly. "They haven't made it to a Super Bowl in 15 years. So they're right there and considered one of the top-echelon teams in this league. It's not easy to get to the championship game. But we've compared against the iconic, legendary Super Bowl teams we've seen over the past 20 years, and that's not real life."

The Steelers got a taste of just how good the Chiefs are in 2024 when they lost to them 29-10 on Christmas Day. It was part of their compressed three-game schedule, and the Steelers were unable to find any success in those games. 

Steelers Don't Operate Like Losers

Kaboly complained about fans who want the team to tank for draft picks. He said it doesn't generally work in their favor if you look at teams who've done that. He added that it would be nice to get a top pick, but we are not a franchise that experiences failure. 

The Steelers would turn into the Cleveland Browns or the Jacksonville Jaguars, said Kaboly, if they lost games to be able to get draft picks. He said he recognizes the changes they made after 2023 didn't give the desired results, but said they are one of only a handful of teams ever to sweep their quarterback room clean and start over while rebuilding their offensive line. 

How did you interpret Rooney's comments to the media? Please tell us what you think below!

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