Steelers Owner Art Rooney II Takes Massive Shot From Former Ravens Defender After Brutal Playoff Loss

On Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted the Houston Texans on Wild Card Weekend. They fell miserably 30-6 in a game where the defense fought hard, but ultimately ran out of gas. The offense was held to 175 yards and was outscored by the Texans' defense. The halftime score of 7-6 felt lucky for the Steelers (a few Texans fumbles kept the Steelers in the game). The Steelers have now lost seven straight playoff games however, six of which by double-digit scores. With the latest loss, the Steelers are now set to pick 21st in the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Steelers used to have a standard of winning Super Bowls, but the last 10 seasons would reflect otherwise. They scored their first, first quarter points in a playoff game for the first time since 2017. The offense usually just goes completely inept. This was more evident than ever as quarterback Aaron Rodgers played probably one of his worst games ever as a Steeler.

The return of DK Metcalf was simply not enough either. The emerging offensive line also had an underwhelming game. The defense isnt off the hook though. The unit surrendered 164 rushing yards to the Texans, who came into the game 22nd in rushing. 

The Steelers' once Super Bowl standard has vanished. Former Baltimore Ravens defender Chris Canty recently appeared on ESPN's First Take and spoke about the Steelers and their standard -- and even took a shot at Owner Art Rooney II. 

"For me, the fact that we're having this conversation is a reprimand on the Pittsburgh Steelers as an organization. It's not the same organization that had Dan Rooney leading it once upon a time, or Art Rooney, not the second, the first," Canty explained. "This is a different franchise, and the results are what they are. Seven straight one-and-dones in the playoffs and an NFL record, five straight postseason losses by double digits. You are no longer a championship-caliber organization."

Rooney took over as the Steelers' president in 2017 following Dan Rooney's passing. Since he has become the majority owner, they haven't won a postseason game. While that obviously isnt 100% on him, he still oversees the entire operation. Many fans believe his biggest ongoing mistake is keeping Head Coach Mike Tomlin. 

Tomlin has won a Super Bowl and been to two as a head coach. He's also never had a losing season, but the team's recent postseason failures are the bigger story. They've come out flat on defense or slow on offense way too often in big games. The Steelers are also winless in five straight games against teams eight games under .500. That's a stat that would get most coaches fired.

Steelers Are In A Very Big Predicament (Written before Tomlin news)

The Steelers are hosting the NFL Draft for the first time ever in 2026. Many believe Rooney will want to keep Tomlin because of this in an effort to help with the planning.

While Tomlin's message seems stale to some, many players still back him whenever his job security is questioned, which could play into Rooney's ultimate decision. It's hard to fire a guy who hasn't lost the locker room in his 19 years of being with the team. The Steelers likely won't fire Tomlin; it's not what they do. Tomlin will likely go out on his terms when he wants to. Whether that is right or wrong for the organization is another question.

What do you think? Is Canty right about the Steelers and Art Rooney II? Is it time for Tomlin to coach elsewhere? Let us know in the comments.

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