Steelers

Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Same as it ever was for Pirates, Steelers


Teams always heading to the mushy middle
Mark Madden
By Mark Madden
2 Min Read Jan. 24, 2026 | 3 days Ago
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It’s the time of the season for horse manure, to paraphrase The Zombies.

Pirates players who braved the threat of severe winter weather to get to Saturday’s PiratesFest talked about having a different attitude. (Ex-Buc Dale Berra canceled his return when he found out it wasn’t that kind of blizzard.)

What, your attitude was bad previously?

It gets piled even higher when the Steelers’ coaching hire is discussed.

It doesn’t matter who gets the job.

Ownership was willing to run it back with Mike Tomlin, but he quit.

Management is reportedly open to Aaron Rodgers returning. He’ll turn 43 next season.

The Steelers don’t want change.

So there won’t be change.

That will be more evident if the job goes to Mike McCarthy, 62. Old men don’t think long-term. The Steelers never do that in the first place.

If it’s Chris Shula, or whatever first-time head coach, he’ll quickly indoctrinate himself to the Steelers way: Old school, defense first, low-scoring rock fights, pretend to be physical, can’t solve the quarterback problem, bore the bejesus out of fans who are so dumb they get hyped anyway. (The Steelers haven’t played exciting football in ages.)

Same as it ever was.

The new coach’s staff will be small and cheap.

Same as it ever was.

Every ticket will be sold, tons of merchandise will move, you’ll tailgate, you’ll bet, you’ll draft a fantasy league team, you’ll obsess, you’ll complain, but nothing will be different because you don’t demand it, not really.

Same as it ever was.

You may ask yourself, “Where does that highway go to?”

To the mushy middle.

Same as it ever was.

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About the Writers

Mark Madden hosts a radio show 2-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM 105.9.

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