Steelers Now
Some in league circles believe the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking silly these days. As Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan wait on a 41-year-old, potentially over-the-hill Aaron Rodgers to make a final decision, the proud franchise doesn’t appear to be operating like it had in its glory days. Former Steelers tailback Merril Hoge recently defended the team’s ownership on WTAE’s “4 The Record.”
The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2017. They’ve become a model of consistency, albeit a mediocre variety. Pittsburgh has gone 10-7 in consecutive seasons — good enough to make the playoffs, but not to make any real noise.
Hoge trusts in Steelers president Art Rooney II and the team’s other higher-ups, despite the ownership ranking 28th in the NFL on its 2025 NFLPA report card, unveiled in February.
“I always go back to what they have that is consistent,” said Hoge, who played in the Steelers’ backfield from 1987-93. “I believe in them more now than ever because I’ve been around the league and all the different organizations. You just have great ownership. You’ve got great leadership at the top. Teams win championships. It’s not just coaching, it’s not just players. It’s a combination of all of it.
“The one thing that is consistent is that they don’t react to things, they respond to things. People who respond to things take information in, and they gather things. … The one thing about all of them, they are lethal. They might be silent, but they are very decisive.”
Since the start of the 2021 go-round, the Steelers are 38-29 in the regular season. That mark doesn’t cut it, Hoge believes.
“They’re very poignant and want to win championships,” Hoge said. “The people who want to win it the most are the Rooneys. Don’t ever underestimate that. They are not okay with mediocrity.”
Rooney spoke about his feelings on where the Steelers are earlier this offseason. He believes the team has the foundation it requires to succeed.
“Look, I’m very comfortable with the culture in this team,” Rooney told WTAE in January. “I think it is a winning culture. You know, I think people need to keep it in perspective here. Even though we haven’t kind of reached our goal of winning a Super Bowl, we’ve had winning teams. We’ve been making the playoffs. And I understand the disappointment in terms of not succeeding in the postseason and that, you know, that’s what we have to do.
“But, it’s not like we haven’t had some success around here. We just need to continue to build on the culture that we have and players like T.J. (Watt) and Cam Heyward, those kind of players help.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steelers Star Gives Rooneys Vote of Confidence
