U mad, bro?: 2 straight losses, bad defense, retro uniforms have Steelers fans unhappy at Halloween

In a “U mad, bro” post two years ago, I mentioned things that used to make me mad at Halloween. Licorice Good & Plenty came up.

There was one house in the neighborhood that used to leave out assorted Good & Plenty mini boxes with a sign that said “Happy Halloween! Please take 1.”

Same sign. Same house. Every year.

So, of course, what happened?

• No one took just one.

• Everyone took the fruit ones first and left the gross licorice ones behind.

• As we were walking away, the next people in line always blamed us.

Yup. That’s what made me mad this time of year as a kid. Now, what makes me mad as an adult in late October?

A defense that can’t stop the run or the pass. An offense that stalls out in the red zone. A coach who seems to have no repercussions despite eight years without a playoff win, and a national media contingent that is just now realizing all this stuff has been going on for most of the past 14 seasons.

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Based on my social media engagements and emails, a lot of Steelers fans seem to agree with me.

So grab a couple of Snickers from the upcoming Halloween stash and enjoy this week’s “U mad, bro?”

David has some opinions about people in Pittsburgh selling their tickets to Green Bay fans last Sunday. It sounds like he is more mad at the organization than the fans themselves.

“1. Maybe quit raising ticket prices.

2. Maybe put a better product on the field

3. Maybe stop with the ugly retro uniforms.”

I hear you on the first two points. But the uniforms? Pfft! Please!

You think people sold their tickets weeks in advance of that game because they didn’t want to see retro uniforms?

C’mon, David. They could run around in spiked clown shoes and pink bunny outfits like Ralphie in “A Christmas Story,” and if they played like the 2008 Super Bowl team, the stadium would still sell out.

via GIPHY

This guy sent a photo after the news that Detroit Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson got a new contract worth more than T.J. Watt’s.

TJ Watt seeing Aidan Hutchinson making more money than him @TimBenzPGH pic.twitter.com/qWQ9YoiPhN

— Local Hero™ (@HofSpillane) October 29, 2025

Actually, that should be Watt’s reaction when he looks at his sack numbers the last two weeks.

Mr. PGH doesn’t want to see the Steelers acquiring players at the NFL trade deadline.

Steelers should be sellers at the trade deadline

— Mr. PGH (@PGHLivin) October 27, 2025

Really? Selling off talent for … what? How many third-round picks do they really need?! They’ve got three right now.

The draft is already in Pittsburgh. The whole draft doesn’t entirely have to be for Pittsburgh.

Calvin sent this message during the Steelers’ loss to the Packers.

@MarkMaddenX @TimBenzPGH I’m confused… is this Jamarr Chase or Tucker Kraft?

— Calvin Isaac (@CalvinIsaac4) October 27, 2025

You’re going to be really confused this Sunday when Tyler Warren looks like Jerry Rice.

Mikey P has a thought about the trade deadline, too.

@TimBenzPGH is that argument for getting a WR2 still holding up?

— MikeyP ???????? (@mikeyp3258) October 27, 2025

So long as DK Metcalf’s health holds up, it’s not quite as important as getting significant help on defense. But I’d still like to see it happen, yes.

Let’s involve a few people from the national media, like our good friend Dan Orlovsky from ESPN. Here are his thoughts on the Steelers’ defense.

I often watch Steelers defense tape and write down the note:

"What are they doing here"

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) October 27, 2025

Dan, people in Pittsburgh have been asking this for years.

Up next, let’s hear from Adam Schein on SiriusXM’s “Mad Dog Radio.”

"Mike Tomlin is going to the Hall of Fame. But if the #Steelers miss the playoffs this year, we need to have a long conversation about a coaching change."@AdamSchein goes off after Pittsburgh's defense was shredded by the Packers on Sunday night ⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gd2nhP6fpz

— Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) October 27, 2025

That conversation has been going on here since, like, 2018 — if anyone outside of Pittsburgh felt like paying attention.

And, Adam, if all those things you mentioned really weren’t “on your bingo card,” you need to take up a new hobby besides bingo.

Don has a comment about the Mike Tomlin press conference.

When are one of you news people going to ask Clownlin what we all want to know: How much longer is he going to hold this once proud franchise hostage?????

— Donn Scott (@gulfcoastspidey) October 28, 2025

Isn’t Tomlin on record as saying he doesn’t want hostages? I thought he wanted volunteers? Did I hear that one wrong?

Finally, here’s an email Nick sent after the loss to the Packers.

“Tom, I don’t always agree with your opinion but I am with you now. The Steelers stink! The secondary is confused and they can’t cover. They have no answers to what the Packers throw at them. The defensive line can’t get to the QB. Another game they have given up over 400 yards! They are bad!!!!!”

Well, Nick, in the words of the great American philosopher John McClane, “Welcome to the party, pal!”

Sincerely, your friend, Tom Benz.