U mad, bro?: Steelers and Penguins fans have much to vent about when it comes to Aaron Rodgers, Evgeni Malkin

After a week off from “U mad, bro,” I certainly wasn’t surprised to see what an extra seven days did for your pent-up rage.

I needed to use the slow-release valve on my email and social media interactions for this week’s post.

Let’s get to a much-needed venting process for some agitated readers after two weeks’ worth of news surrounding the Penguins and Steelers.

We’ll start with Mike. He emailed in response to my column from Wednesday about Evgeni Malkin.

”Over da hill .… about time to sail off. Dis guy and Chris Letang both stayed too long. But lets fire the coach! That will work well.”

The fade of the Penguins’ aging veterans doesn’t mean that the franchise should’ve kept Mike Sullivan.

Can’t both things be true? Isn’t it possible that Malkin and (K)ris Letang may have stayed too long, and Mike Sullivan did as well?

Andrew thinks I should be applauding the Aaron Rodgers signing by the Steelers.

I think it's time for some members of the Pittsburgh media to be given their unconditional release. We knew all along that Rodgers was coming. He worked out with DK. He was projected to come the first week of June. Take your fire-stoking Steeler negativity somewhere else.

— Andrew M. Rose (@AndrewMRose2) June 6, 2025

My opinion is that Rodgers is no longer good enough to make much of a difference between the Steelers of last year and the Steelers of this year. Hence, it wasn’t worth a three-month, love-sick schoolboy pursuit of his services. Nor will it be worth the excess drama Rodgers will surely provide as yet another mediocre nine-win season drags along over the next six months.

You may call that “firestoking negativity.” I call it unyielding reality.

More sports

• Former Penguins forward Nick Bonino to rejoin team in coaching role
• Mark Madden: The culture of wrestling is magnetic ... so I'm back
• Tim Benz: Leak of Evgeni Malkin info feels like it was done with a purpose

Darian thinks Mark Madden and I have been too critical of the Rodgers acquisition. 

”You and Madden may want to do something else besides being sports journalists in Pittsburgh. Maybe do some research on Rodgers’ career, like how fast he gets rid of the football, avoiding sacks, like his stats last year at 41 yrs old returning from Achilles surgery, 8th nfl yards passing, 30 some yards behind Mahomes, 8th in nfl in TDs, playing with the Jets, research his career numbers, 2,000 yards behind Ben and rivers, over 60,000 yards, Rodgers’ numbers rank in top ten of anyone who ever played OB in nfl, what sport have you and Madden ever played professionally?

Steelers have a window with Heyward, Watt, Fitzpatrick etc to swing for a home run this year, they are going all in and you and Madden (expletive) on them every article you write. Research what other NFL players and coaches think of Rodgers.

Last time I checked Steelers were still tied for most Super Bowl wins, and I’m not a fan of the Rooneys, nor Tomlin, all I’m asking from you and Madden is try to see glass half full just once in a while bc you two are the gloomiest (expletive) ever to put pen to paper.”

OK, but when was the last time you checked to see when the Steelers actually won a playoff game?

Yeah, I’m well aware of their six Super Bowls and the fact that Rodgers has won one. I’m also aware that — in both cases — the last time they were in one was against each other at the end of a season 15 years ago.

I’m also aware of the fact that the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game in eight years and that Rodgers hasn’t won one since 2020. Were you aware of either of those numbers, Darian?

Are you aware the Steelers are getting a 41-year-old version of Rodgers and not the Hall of Famer who put together most of those stats?

Never mind. You’re a Steelers fan. To you, if they were good 15 years ago, that means they are still good now and can do nothing wrong — even though there’s tons of evidence to the contrary.

Maybe you should stop worrying about how full my glass is and start worrying about how much of their Kool-Aid you have been drinking the past decade and a half.

This guy shares Darian’s opinion.

You gonna cry, Tim? Sounds like you’re close

— KalebBurgh Steelers (@SteelersWin109) June 11, 2025

Nah. I only feel like crying when I look at their lack of playoff success over the past 14 years.

Someone named “MagicCynic122” doesn’t think we should be talking about football this time of year anyway.

“Hard to give a flying (fig) about football on June 18th…Yinzers’ resolve to focus on the boring is unmatched.”

So what should they focus on to cure that? The local MLB team? If you want to test resolve, that’ll test resolve.

Finally, someone named @RScottieP wants me to be less negative about my outlook for the Steelers this year.

Such a ray of sunshine
????

— Scot Paine (@RScottieP) June 6, 2025

Sorry, Scottie. Weather forecasters can tell you when you’ll see the sun. But as a sports columnist, it’s not my job to shine it up your backside.