Steelers Sent Bold Message Through Eye-Catching Billboard In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have trust issues to repair with their fanbase this offseason.

Pittsburgh collapsed dramatically at the end of its season, losing its final five games including the AFC wild-card game against the Baltimore Ravens. That extended the franchise’s playoff victory drought to eight consecutive seasons and the team’s overall average-caliber positiong among the powerhouses of the AFC. The Steelers haven’t eclipsed a 10-win regular season in six of their last seven tries, and the fanbase isn’t content.

It even drove one fan to the limit of renting out an entire Pittsburgh billboard to send the entire Steelers organization a message.

“The standard is mediocrity. Trade (Mike) Tomlin or sell the team, (Art) Rooney! We’ve had enough,” the sign, paid for by Kevin Adams, read, per WTAE-Pittsburgh.

The Steelers got creative last season, starting with their quarterback situation. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields split the starting duties, and a rift between Wilson and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith over scoring their conflicting scoring philosophies, anchored the team. Smith was an advocate for a run-heavy offense while Wilson, coming off an elite Week 13 performance against the Cincinatti Bengals, preferred throwing the ball down the field.

Smith’s disagreement with Wilson took a toll on the team, and a costly one no less.

Pittsburgh’s 44 points against the Bengals in Week 13 wasn’t surpassed or even close to being matched again through the team’s final six games of the season — including in the playoffs. The Steelers eclipsed 20 points of offense just once within those six tries and failing to keep up with opposing offense’s ultimatley dragged the team out of legitimate contention.

This has since promted local outrage from outside the walls of Acrisure Stadium.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and team owner Art Rooney II have been at the forefront, pelted with constant criticism and requests to be relieved of their respective duties. So far, Rooney and team ownership hasn’t budged. Tomlin’s job, from afar, seems safe and sound, and the team isn’t overreacting to last season’s collapse. Still, that doesn’t exonerate the franchise moving forward. This offseason is critical and needs to be treated accordingly.

They need a definitive starting quarterback along with several other roster improvements to uplift Pittsburgh’s spirits.

If not, the Steelers will find themselves back at square one next offseason with everyone’s seat just a little bit hotter.

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