ESPN Host Stephen A. Smith Criticizes Steelers President Art Rooney II

Smith says Rooney has failed to excite the Steelers fanbase with recent coaching hires and team performance.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has strongly criticized Pittsburgh Steelers President Art Rooney II, saying Rooney has not done enough to energize the team's fanbase amid a prolonged playoff drought. Smith took issue with the Steelers' recent coaching moves and the team's lack of postseason success in recent years.

Why it matters

The Steelers are one of the NFL's most storied franchises, so any criticism of the team's leadership from a high-profile media figure like Stephen A. Smith is likely to generate significant attention and discussion among the team's passionate fan base.

The details

Smith blasted Rooney for hiring 67-year-old Mike McCarthy as the team's new head coach, calling it a "lateral move" that failed to provide "an infusion to the Steeler Nation." He also took a personal shot at Rooney, saying "You're a Rooney, but you ain't them because your record proves you ain't them." The Steelers have made the playoffs in each of the last three seasons but have lost in the first round each time, extending their drought without a playoff win to nine years - the longest such stretch in franchise history.

  • The Steelers have not won a playoff game in 9 years.
  • The Steelers have lost their last 7 playoff games.

The players

Stephen A. Smith

A prominent ESPN personality and host of the network's popular debate show "First Take".

Art Rooney II

The current president of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and a member of the Rooney family that has owned the team since its founding.

Mike McCarthy

The Steelers' new 67-year-old head coach, hired in 2026 to replace the previous coach.

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What they’re saying

“You go out and get a coach that's considered a lateral move who, by the way, is 27 years older than the previous coaches that you hired when you hired them, giving an infusion to the Steeler Nation and the Steelers fanbase. I'm just looking at this man here, I'm talking about Art Rooney and the quotes. You've given the Pittsburgh Steeler fanbase nothing to be excited about.”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Host (Steelers Now)

“You're a Rooney, but you ain't them because your record proves you ain't them.”

— Stephen A. Smith, ESPN Host (Steelers Now)

What’s next

The Steelers will look to end their playoff drought in the upcoming season, with the team's performance and Rooney's leadership continuing to be closely scrutinized.

The takeaway

This criticism from a high-profile media figure like Stephen A. Smith highlights the growing frustration among Steelers fans over the team's recent lack of postseason success and the perceived missteps by team president Art Rooney II in guiding the franchise. The pressure is on for the Steelers to turn things around and regain their status as one of the NFL's elite teams.