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Stephen A. Smith Trashes Steelers Owner Art Rooney II

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jan 27, 2026 12:08 PM ET

Stephen A. Smith clearly doesn't appreciate how Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II has handled the head-coaching hiring process.

The Steelers veered away from past norms by picking Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin. It's an atypical move from an organization that hired younger, defensive-minded candidates in Bill Cowher and Tomlin to work their first NFL head-coaching gig in Pittsburgh.

Smith criticized the move on Monday, saying the Steelers should have interviewed his ESPN colleague and former Steelers safety Ryan Clark. He continued to condemn Rooney on Tuesday's First Take after McCarthy's introductory press conference.

"You go out and get a coach that’s considered a lateral move who, by the way, is 27 years older than the previous coaches that you hired when you hired them, giving an infusion to the Steeler Nation and the Steelers fanbase," Smith said. "I'm just looking at this man here, I’m talking about Art Rooney and the quotes. You’ve given the Pittsburgh Steeler fanbase nothing to be excited about."

Smith claimed that Rooney's comments addressing Steelers fans' apprehensive response to McCarthy's hiring treated them as if they were attending games "for free."

"He didn’t talk about the paying customer, because you’ve given them nothing to be excited about," Smith declared. "Absolutely nothing."

"You ain't your daddy"

Oct 16, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers owner and team president Art Rooney II looks on during warmups before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images© Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Smith blasted Pittsburgh's postseason track record under Rooney, positing that a long-proud organization has "regressed" since the owner inherited a majority stake of the team from his late father.

"You ain't won a playoff game in nine years. You've taken over in 2017, you're 0-6 in the playoffs since that particular moment in time," Smith told Rooney II. "You’re going to hire this man in his 60s who, by the way, was pushed out of Green Bay, was ultimately pushed out of Dallas with Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott as his quarterback."

Smith unleashed even more anger at Rooney's remarks on Monday. The owner seemed to downplay fan criticism of his hiring by declaring that they're "going to love" McCarthy. Rooney said opinions on social media didn't factor into the team's decision, and they're "really not worried about winning the initial press conference."

That response enraged Smith, who felt Rooney was dismissing the fanbase's concerns.

"Who the hell do you think you are? You’re talking about a man born on third base thinking he hit a triple, "Smith said. "What the hell is that? You don’t talk to Steeler Nation like that. Their loyalty, their dedication, their commitment to you. They didn’t deserve better than an answer like that? That’s what you tell them? 'We got this, step aside and watch what we do.'

"Who the hell do you think you are? You ain’t your uncle, you ain’t your daddy, you ain’t your family members. You’re a Rooney, but you ain’t them because your record proves you ain’t them. You don’t talk to Steeler Nation like that. This is unacceptable."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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