I think we all know what the New Year’s resolutions should be for Pittsburgh’s sports teams in 2026.

For the Steelers?: Win a playoff game. Find a long-term answer at quarterback.

For the Pirates?: Get a few hits. Finish above .500.

For the Penguins?: Stop blowing leads, or figure out how to win in overtime and the shootouts.

If all that happens, maybe we won’t need “U mad, bro?” in 2026.

In other words, expect plenty of “U mad, bro” in 2026.

Here’s the last edition of 2025.

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This reader responded to my column about the DK Metcalf suspension potentially being the latest, greatest excuse for why the Steelers’ playoff-win drought may continue.

You are invoking some kind of eldritch force by listing every previous excuse and challenging the universe to give us a stupid fresh excuse to rise above all others.

I fear to learn what horror you just spoke into existence.

I will now blame your words.

Problem solved.

— PotentialHuman (@PotentialHuman2) December 30, 2025

You’re … welcome?

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Sean seems to think my postgame criticism of the Steelers wasn’t harsh enough after their loss in Cleveland.

You ran short of the sticks in capturing the essence of what I just witnessed

— Sean Kozielec (@KozielecSean) December 29, 2025

If I may defend myself for a minute, Sean, I worked in the words “disaster,” “failure” and “ineptitude” before I even got beyond the subhead.

Personally, I think that’s pretty good.

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Meanwhile, EDOG thinks I was too hard on the Steelers.

Beat it bozo.

— EDOG (@pityinzer) December 28, 2025

Did you really just say, “Beat it, Bozo?” When did you send this post? From the year 1928?

Who says “Beat it, Bozo” anymore?

Seriously, are you trying to do the John Mulaney bit right now?

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Michael in Hermitage sent me this email about Hines Ward failing to move on to the next round of Hall of Fame balloting.

“Former Steeler and Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward was snubbed again for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I’m mad at Ed Bouchette for this and suggest he resign from the selection committee for Hines Ward’s sake.”

Michael, Ed Bouchette retired from covering the Steelers in 2022, and his last vote with the committee was for the 2023 class. Also, those who are on the committee don’t make their speeches stumping for given players until they get to the final round.

So harboring resentment toward Ed isn’t the best use of your energy. But I passed along your anger toward him through text, and he accepted it graciously anyway.

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More sports

• Mike Tomlin not ready to think about Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers playing final NFL game • Penguins 2025 in review: Trades, milestones, new ownership among year’s headlines • Mike Tomlin optimistic about T.J. Watt’s return for Steelers against Ravens ______________________________

Somebody named “@Dmarsh108NC” wasn’t pleased with the harsh commentary Mark Madden and I shared about Mike Tomlin during this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast.

What a surprising take by you two drama queens.

— Not Invincible (@Dmarsh108NC) December 29, 2025

I’m not exactly sure how this opinion makes us “drama queens.” But, given that you are a Steelers fan, you haven’t experienced real drama in the playoffs in almost a decade.

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Finally, “STILLERZBURGH” advances his opinion about how and why the Steelers lost in Cleveland.

“It was (expletive) fixed, and you know it!”

Well, “STILLERZBURGH” that wasn’t a really good fix. Because if the Browns were in on the fix, Shedeur Sanders shouldn’t have thrown that ball right into Nick Herbig’s hands, and the Cleveland defense shouldn’t have left Kenneth Gainwell so wide open on the final play.

Because that made the fix so obvious for all of us to see, am I right?

Orrrrrrrr, is that what they want us to think!

But, I get it. It’s always easier to accuse two full teams, an entire officiating crew, multiple television networks and the league itself of being in on a fix than it is to just admit your team stinks after eight years without a playoff win.

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Listen: Tim Benz and Joe Rutter recap what Mike Tomlin said about the Steelers’ loss in Cleveland and they look ahead to Sunday’s game against Baltimore to decide the AFC North

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