The Steelers have fallen short of championship glory for years, with nearly a decade passing since their last playoff victory. Now, even the franchise’s ownership—the Rooney family—is reportedly fed up with the team’s consistent mediocrity.
Former Steelers running back Merril Hoge recently shared his admiration for the Rooneys during an interview with Michelle Wright, calling them “great owners” and expressing strong faith in their leadership. “They might be quiet, but they’re very decisive,” Hoge said. “They’re driven, and no one wants to win more than the Rooneys.”
Despite head coach Mike Tomlin avoiding a losing season for 18 straight years, the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. They’ve been knocked out in the first round five times since then, leaving fans and ownership frustrated.
While Art Rooney has remained loyal to Tomlin, another disappointing season might force changes. One major issue Tomlin faces this offseason is finding a reliable quarterback. There was a meeting with Aaron Rodgers, and now a new name is emerging—Shedeur Sanders.
The Colorado Buffaloes standout visited the Steelers’ facility in Pittsburgh, where he connected well with the coaching staff and praised the team’s culture, even comparing Mike Tomlin to his father, Deion Sanders. When asked about the possibility of starting his career behind a veteran QB, Shedeur responded with humility, saying he trusts in God’s plan.
The visit went so well that Sanders gave it a “10/10” rating. Whether it turns into a draft pick remains to be seen, but there’s clear momentum building.