Pittsburgh Steelers Report Card 2023

Select from the menu in the top left to see a breakdown of this team's grade by topic.

To see all team's ratings, click here.

Overview

The Pittsburgh Steelers ranked 22nd in the team guide. The common theme that arose through player respondents’ feedback was a feeling that there is a lack of resources and investment into the facility. Player respondents believe that the team is understaffed in both the weight room and the training room; and, unlike the majority of the league, they do not offer a family room or daycare for the players’ families on gameday.

Only 44% of players who responded feel like Steelers owner Art Rooney II is willing to invest money into upgrading their facilities, ranking him tied for 29th in this category.

Breakdown of Key Categories

Support of Players' Families: Ranked 23rd

• One of 11 teams that do not offer daycare on gameday
• One of 14 teams that do not offer a family room at the stadium

Post-Game Gathering Area: Ranked 31st

Quality of food: Ranked 7th

• All three meals provided

60% of players say there is enough room in the cafeteria.

Players feel there is not enough space and it is understaffed.

• 73% feel they have enough strength coaches (tied for worst)

• When asked about “Strength Coaches adding to their success” they ranked 17^th in the NFL. 17^th sounds average, but that is because most teams rated their strength coaches positively. The Steelers players gave overall high marks to the strength staff, which is why the overall grade is still high
• 93% of players believe they receive an individual plan (Ranked 21st)

Staffing

• 79% feel they have enough ATCs (5^th worst in the league)
• 62% feel they have enough PTs (5^th worst in the league)

Steam Room/Sauna

• There is a steam room (85% feel it is big enough)
• One of six teams that does not offer a sauna

Tubs

• 93% of players feel they have enough hot tub space
• 87% of players feel they have enough cold tub space

The players feel that the training staff moderately adds to their success. Most teams rated their training staffs positively, which is why they tied for 22nd. The players gave their staff relatively positive marks overall which is why the overall grade is still high.

Players feel it is in need of a renovation and that there is not enough space.

• 80% of players feel like they have enough space (Ranked 24th)

• 100% of players feel like they have enough room to spread out
• No roommates
• Limited number of first-class seats made available to the players

During the last two years, the Board of Representatives has discussed ways to improve the information available to free agents making decisions about their prospective Clubs and decided to pursue the development of “Club Report Cards” that, while not a scientific survey, would report the quantitative and qualitative opinions of NFL players about their respective Clubs.

In connection with that goal, questions were sent to every player on the 2022 team rosters asking them their opinions about their Club’s facilities, certain Club personnel/coaches, and other work-related categories, such as Club’s treatment of families and team travel (players were not asked questions about any Club other than their 2022 employer). As a result of the confidential questionnaire, 1,300 players responded. There then was a qualitative follow up by the union, which resulted in the following “report card.”

The questions called for both quantitative and qualitative answers; for example: “Grade your weight room with 1 reflecting best rating, 5 reflecting lowest rating” and “What would you change about your weight room?” The numerical ratings for each sub-category of questions were tallied and averaged. The questionnaire also sought to elicit the opinion of players on some issues that have a direct impact on the quality of life for NFL players. These qualitative responses, which are inherently subjective, were reviewed and evaluated by the union and then factored into providing an overall rating that was intended to reflect player opinions.

Based upon all of this information, the rankings from Club to Club were determined by comparing how each Club graded in each category.

Finally, the Club Report Card includes an overview, which is a summary of the players’ responses and opinions about the Club workplace and specifically about how players perceived Clubs’ commitment to workplace issues.