Steelers rank 22nd among NFL teams in NFLPA player survey ‘report cards’

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t necessarily making the grade when it comes to amenities for their players, according to results from a recent survey by the NFL’s players’ union.

Approximately 1,300 players responded to anonymous questioning from the NFLPA in an effort to evaluate teams in eight areas. Relative to the league’s other 31 teams, the Steelers ranked 22^nd when all results were compiled, according to the union.

For several years, players have wanted to build a Free Agency Guide to share what the daily club experience is like for them + their families.
President @JCTretter outlines this project in his latest column: https://t.co/gTq1MBNnHV.
View reports: https://t.co/J1ho3aTUvH. pic.twitter.com/nJ42GgfQMT

— NFLPA (@NFLPA) March 1, 2023

The areas where the Steelers rated worst in the survey — getting a D-minus and ranking tied for 27^th in the league in each — were “treatment of families” and “training room.” The Steelers received their best marks for “food service/nutrition,” ranking tied for eighth and getting a B-plus grade.

The quality of the food available at the Steelers UPMC Rooney Sports Complex ranked seventh in the survey results, and the union noted that all three meals were provided for players. Perhaps the only thing keeping the Steelers’ nutrition staff from earning an “A” was what players see as a cramped space: only 60% felt there was enough room in the cafeteria, a space the Steelers share with Pitt’s football program.

Where the NFLPA respondents believed the Steelers were behind in family support were lacking both daycare on gameday (a perk 21 teams offer) and a family gathering room at the home stadium (an amenity 18 teams offer). The Steelers also ranked second-worst in regards to a post-game gathering area for families.

The Steelers’ deficiencies in the training room came in staffing — only four teams had lower ratios of players satisfied both with the number available of trainers and physical therapists. Additionally, the Steelers are one of only six teams that do not offer a sauna for players.

Another area players who responded to the survey feel the Steelers are lacking is in their locker room. The Steelers got a D+ in that category, with the union saying Steelers players felt as if the locker room is in need of renovation and an enlargement.

How Steelers players rated the Steelers in other categories of the survey:

• Respondents gave the team a C (tied for 25th in the league) for its weight room, with the NFLPA noting Steelers players feel as if their room is too small and understaffed, relative to the rest of the NFL.

• Steelers players were part of the overall trend among NFL players to have a positive opinion of their strength coaches, giving them an A-minus.

• There was similar high league-wide regard for training staff. The Steelers overall had a positive opinion of this, but a B-plus in this area ranked only tied for 22nd in the league because most NFL players were satisfied with their team’s training staffs.

• The Steelers graded out near the middle of the league in travel, earning a B grade that had them tied for 15th in the league. Every Steelers player who responded to the survey said they felt as if they had “enough room to spread out,” Also, none had to share a hotel room with another player, and some players were given access to first-class airplane seating.

Despite it not falling under a designated category the NFLPA released in its survey results, the union did report that only 44% of Steelers players who responded to its survey believed owner Art Rooney II “is willing to invest money into upgrading their facilities.” This was tied for the fourth-worst ranking in this category, per the NFLPA.

Overall, the Minnesota Vikings had the highest marks among survey respondents, followed by the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas Raiders, Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys.

The Washington Commanders were graded at the bottom of the league by NFLPA survey respondents. The Arizona Cardinals were second-worst, followed by the Los Angeles Chargers, Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars.

A Steelers’ spokesperson did not immediately respond when asked if the team wished to comment on the survey results.

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.