Steelers President Art Rooney II said the team has “had enough” of losing playoff games. He told a group of reporters, “It’s time to get some wins. It’s time to take the next steps. There is some urgency here, for sure.”
Rooney also said Mike Tomlin is the guy to get the Steelers over the goal line. He said if he didn’t feel that way, he’d find a new head coach. Tomlin will be entering the final year of his contract, his 18th year as Steelers head coach, and Rooney is working on getting another extension done.
Rooney said the Steelers had “a solid rookie class” in 2023 and they need to draft well again this year because he says they can “compete with this group” of players.
Rooney had a lot to say on other topics:
- He said quarterback Kenny Pickett needs to take “the next step” in his development because the Steelers “need quality play out of (the) quarterback position”.
- He is open to the return of Mason Rudolph as quarterback if Rudolph is amenable.
- Rooney says Mike Tomlin will choose the offensive coordinator.
- He said he wants Cam Heyward back next season “and maybe going forward” as Heyward enters next season in the last year of his contract, at age 35.
- The Steelers are assessing the long-term viability of Acrisure Stadium. The team’s lease there runs through 2030.
NFL
The Kansas City Chiefs will be without edge rusher Charles Omenihu in the Super Bowl. He suffered a torn ACL Sunday in the AFC Championship game on Sunday. Omenihu misses out on playing against his former team in the Super Bowl. He was a ‘Niner last year.
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