Though Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t recall ever filling out a report card that graded the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise, he shared his thoughts on the team’s latest negative marks from the 2025 season. In the latest edition leaked to the media last week, the Steelers finished 32nd overall and received poor grades in nearly every category. Roethlisberger shared his theory on why.
“I think that’s a big thing,” Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin podcast with co-host Spencer Te’o. “If you come from a different team or a different facility, and then you come here, you maybe realize. I remember guys leaving Pittsburgh that had only been in Pittsburgh. And then hearing from them being like, holy cow, this weight room is a lot bigger than what we have. Or the locker room’s a lot bigger. Or we fly on a different plane.”
Pittsburgh has consistently turned over its roster and brought in waves of new talent. Last year, the Steelers ranked sixth in roster turnover among teams that did not hire a new head coach and/or general manager. Outsiders coming from bigger and better facilities have experiences that homegrown guys don’t. Those who know only what Pittsburgh provides are less likely to grade harshly than those who have other teams to compare it to.
In fact, RB Najee Harris had a similar reaction to what Roethlisberger spoke of. Exiting Pittsburgh for the Los Angeles Chargers last year, Harris marveled at the Chargers’ facility. In fairness, Harris already had Alabama’s digs as a reference point, but the contrast in how he viewed the Steelers and Chargers’ offerings couldn’t have been clearer.
In the 2025 report card, Pittsburgh ranked last in several categories. Home field conditions, locker room, treatment of facilities, and team travel all received F-grades. The Steelers have never been highly favored in these results, but finished last for the first time ever. The team’s only A-grades were for coaches who have departed: Mike Tomlin and Danny Smith.
A different era and culture might also have an impact on Pittsburgh’s dreadful marks.
“I don’t even remember when I was playing if people [were] complaining about things,” Roethlisberger said. “Maybe times have changed.”
Roethlisberger offered a defense of owner Art Rooney II, who has received another wave of criticism and negative PR.
“It’s a family business. It’s been family from Day One, and it’s still family. And they treat it like family. You see the owners every day. You see Mr. Rooney every day. You see him at every game. He’s in the locker room after every game, shaking hands. There’s something to be said about that, too. How the ownership makes you feel as a human beyond a player.”
Roethlisberger contrasted that with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whose focus is often set on building the latest and greatest while focusing on business ventures outside of football. Jones is in the oil industry and has even dabbled in acting. Despite best efforts, Roethlisberger’s comments won’t persuade many.
If there’s any good news for the Steelers’ bad report card, there’s no clear correlation between a good grade and a good football team. The Miami Dolphins have “won” the report card three years running. That didn’t save head coach Mike McDaniel or general manager Chris Grier’s jobs.
Still, Steelers’ players clearly aren’t happy with what they’re being provided. In that regard, Pittsburgh sits at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the NFL.