Following his sit down with select members of Pittsburgh media, Steelers President Art Rooney II did a few one-on-one interviews with local TV personalities, including KDKA-TV and 93.7 The Fan host Bob Pompeani.
One of those interviews was with WTAE’s Ashley Liotus. She asked Rooney about the perceived “lack of fight” from the Steelers from fans and if he’s concerned about it.
Rooney says it’s all about perspective.
“I’m very comfortable with the culture of this team,” said Rooney. “I think it is a winning culture.”
He says even though the team hasn’t won a Super Bowl since 2008 and hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016, “we’ve had winning teams, we’ve been making the playoffs.”
Rooney also acknowledges that not winning in the playoffs is disappointing, “but, it’s not like we haven’t’ had some success around here.”
He points to players like Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt being able to highlight how important the Steelers culture is to the younger players.
Rooney also talked about the quarterback position again and Liotus asked if whoever it is, Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, if they will be the starter.
“I would say if we sign either Russ or Justin, I would assume from where we are today that, that one would go into the season being the starter,” said Rooney.
Joe Starkey said it sounds like he’s saying “we’ll take either one, whichever one’s cheaper.”
Rooney obviously isn’t going to give away the Steelers’ offseason plans, but it doesn’t sound like there is any kind of urgency or alarm that the team is in its longest playoff drought since the early 1970s.