The Steelers' brand is "ancient" -- and no longer elite

Art Rooney, Sr. -- "The Chief"

While they may be in first place right now in the AFC’s North Division, the last two games for the Pittsburgh Steelers have shown that the reason for that lofty spot is more due to the woeful nature of their opponents than to their own success.

The last two losses, along with upcoming battles against elite teams like the Colts, Chargers, Lions, Bills, and two with the Ravens — yes, they are elite with their QB returning — have fans staying away from Heinz Field. LOL

Since I work long hours on Sundays when young people are home looking for academic help, I did not see the Green Bay debacle until about the fourth quarter on Sunday night.

The vision was shocking: Green Bay Packer fans outnumbered those in black and gold, meaning that Steeler fans had sold their season tickets to their dreaded enemy.

The Post-Gazette’s Paul Zeise noted the incongruity of a former elite franchise now being overwhelmed by the enemy,

Every bar I walked by was loaded with Packers fans; some were actually overloaded with Packers fans. 

Then when I went into the stadium, I was shocked that my eyes hadn’t deceived me outside as there really were that many Packers fans in the stands …

There have been a number of games like this — opposing fans occupying a large portion of the crowd — at Acrisure Stadium, and it is embarrassing for the Steelers. It is usually Steelers fans that take over stadiums, but it is now happening in their own stadium. 

The crowd is a probably good microcosm of one of the things that ails this franchise. Many season ticket holders are older and would rather sell their tickets than go to the games. That’s especially true for night games, as they seem to be the easiest tickets to sell.

Paul Zeise, “Steelers' brand needs a serious

update,” Post-Gazette, October 27, 2025

The problem for the once-proud franchise, however, is not the fans. Granted, they are older and want to earn a few bucks in retirement. Instead, it is a franchise that has lost its way — and that has been obvious for the past 14 years.

In truth, the franchise needs a housecleaning from top to bottom, particularly at the top. They are mired in a losing streak of super bowls that now will be at 18 seasons at the end of this one.

In fact, if you look at the Steelers post-Chuck Noll, they have won only two super bowls in the past 46 years — after winning four in six years in the 70s.

Starts at the top

And the major problem is at the top, so first, let’s look at the fact that maybe the time is due to have a CEO not named Rooney.

Since the Rooneys own just about 30 percent of the franchise, this could — and should happen.

First, the history, then a look at what Zeise says about the Steelers being “ancient.”

Here is some history for the younger fans.

The Chief, the founder of the franchise, a guy named Art Rooney Sr. was beloved among Steeler fans for keeping the team going through some very rough years.

How rough?

History, the Steelers did not win a championship from their founding in 1933 until Art Sr. finally decided to turn over the franchise to his son, Dan. That was a fabulous move.

He hired Chuck Noll in 1968, cast his lot with the draft, that lured hall of famers like Mean Joe Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Jack Ham and Jack Lambert, Mike Webster, Mel Blount …

And they won four Super Bowls in six years from 1976 to 79.

That was a long drought, from 1933 to 1976.

While they struggled for a while in the 80s, they were still a force in the league. Had they draft Dan Marino in 1983, then they would have possibly eight or nine trophies in that case.

Maybe.

Nepotism did not work

When Dan stepped down, he anointed his son Art II. While they won two more Super Bowls, those were more Dan than AR II.

Then, the younger Art Rooney started to act like his grandfather did in the early years. An elite franchise is now mired in mediocrity, or worse. They will not compete for another Super Bowl until they eliminated AR II and Mike Tomlin. I made that prediction in 2017 -- and now, most of Steeler Nation believes me.

Even Paul Zeise

Here is part of what he said,

I don’t blame people for selling their tickets, but the season ticket base and everything else about this franchise is ancient. And the fact so many season ticket holders seem to keep them just to sell them speaks volumes to me about the Steelers’ fading allure.

And the worst part is there are still a percentage of people, many who seem to be the power brokers within the Steelers organization, who are convinced the way things worked so well in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s are still working now.

There is a portion that believe these are still the big, bad Steelers, the team every other team circles on their schedule and treats like it is their Super Bowl. There is still a portion of these people stuck in a time and place that no longer exists.

I get the stability model and I have heard all about how it led to the success of this franchise over the years, but this is a different and time. Nobody is afraid of the Steelers, and any good team is probably circling the Steelers on their schedule as a game they can win.

The franchise built on defense, featuring the longest-tenured coach in the NFL who was billed a defensive guru, can’t stop anyone. They aren’t tough, they aren’t physical, they aren’t bullies — they aren’t even good at their bread and butter of smashing quarterbacks.

Paul Zeise, “Steelers' brand needs a serious

update,” Post-Gazette, October 27, 2025

Tomlin a “buddy” not a disciplinarian

After winning a Super Bowl and competing for another, Tomlin made a major change or two. The first was that he had a tremendous lack of discipline. He believed that he could be a buddy with the players, not a tough guy like he was in his first two years.

And now, the Steelers have not won a playoff game in almost a decade and only three in the past 14 years. That is not an elite franchise, and the reality is that he has some players during that time who may earned a spot in the NFL hall of fame.

First, two linemen, Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro, along with a quarterback, all have those credentials. However, those who are missing are ones who should be on the list, but are not. These include a receiver who was tops in the league, Antonio Brown, and a top running back, Le’Veon Bell. Both suffered from a lack of discipline and direction.

Add in other players like one more recently, George Pickens who showed great promise but could not be controlled by Tomlin — and now is superb with the Cowboys.

In short, the change is needed from top to bottom.

You are not going to find another Chuck Noll, but there are some great coaches out there who would love to be coaching the Steelers and might be able to improve their brand.

As for eliminating the Rooneys, absolutely essential, but tougher.

But necessary.

I have followed the Steelers since 1955, but now, I root against them — seriously — in the hope that it is the only way to once again succeed and become respectable.