Shocking Fact Proves The Steelers Have Made A Strong Shift In Organizational Philosophy

Many Pittsburgh Steelers fans aren’t thrilled with the current direction of the franchise. They believe this is the 'same old Steelers,' even with the news that Mike Tomlin is no longer at the helm. That perception is largely because Team President Art Rooney II made his stance on rebuilds clear once again, signaling that any major changes would be deliberate and measured rather than rushed.

Right now, many fans think this is the perfect time to retool the organization. The Steelers have done just that, though not entirely by choice. Rooney was clearly prepared to continue with Tomlin no matter what. Tomlin stepped away on his own, and Mike McCarthy is now in charge, bringing a fresh perspective and a new approach to a team that has long been defined by consistency.

There is a lot to be said about how different this team looks in the 2026 offseason compared to just a few seasons ago. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly revealed some telling insights and delivered proof about how much the team has changed since 2023, showing that Pittsburgh fans are wrong about this being the 'same old Steelers.' With new leadership, strategic roster moves, and a shift in team culture, the organization is entering a phase that could reshape its identity for years to come.

"The ‘Same Old Steelers’ designation is a fair assessment of an organization that has been slow to make changes, but it also couldn’t be further from the truth, as it has been trending that way for more than four years," Kaboly said. "The Steelers have undergone an organizational transformation over the past 45 months, and they have done it without much fanfare, that is, until Mike Tomlin unexpectedly stepped down after the season, which obviously accelerated a process that was nearing its lifespan anyway."

Kaboly made it clear why he believes Steelers fans are wrong about the 'same old Steelers' sentiment. It’s a fair critique, but it is not true, which may sound confusing at first. 

Kaboly revealed that there are only 14 individuals remaining across the organization from 2023, counting the head coach, coaching staff, administration, football operations, and players. That is an incredible amount of turnover in such a short time and it is a telling sign of just how much the team has truly changed.

"Since Omar Khan was hired as general manager in May of 2022, all the way through last week when the Steelers put the final touches on new coach Mike McCarthy’s staff, things have turned over at a rapid pace," Kaboly said. "Playoff results have clouded the reformation of an organization that hasn’t been competitive in the playoffs for nearly a decade, but the Steelers from 2023 are barely recognizable from today. Considering the administration, the head coach, the coaching staff, the football operations, and the players, there are a total of 14 individuals left with the same role that they had four years ago."

As for the 14, Kaboly pointed them all out. In the administration, Rooney II remains as president, with Art Rooney Jr. serving as vice president. The coaching staff includes Darrel Young as director of player development. 

In football operations, Chidi Iwuoma and Mark Bruener continue as college scouts, and Aidan Hennessey-Niland serves as the team operations coordinator. 

Steelers Have Just 8 Players Remaining From 2023 Roster

Among players still under contract, the group includes Pat Freiermuth, Jaylen Warren, Mason Rudolph, Cam Heyward, TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Chris Boswell, and Christian Kuntz. 

This core of just 14 individuals highlights just how much has changed throughout the organization. Only eight players remain from that 2023 roster, which is even more telling about just how different the roster and staff look heading into 2026.

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