Steelers' Patrick Peterson rips NFL schedule makers

Upon learning that the Pittsburgh Steelers would play twice on Thursday Night Football this season, veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson sounded off, roasting the NFL's schedule makers. 

Appearing on the All Things Covered podcast Saturday, Peterson called having to play twice on a Thursday this season "bizarre."  

"My goodness, bro. They are five weeks apart," Peterson said. "It's tough enough getting up for the first Thursday night game. I get it, they want to find ways to get ball on TV, but you have to think about our bodies, man. Especially with me being in year 13. My body don't recover like it used to." 

For the 2023 campaign, the NFL opened the door for teams to play two Thursday games, something Peterson believed was only a "rumor." Unfortunately, it's become a reality for Peterson and Steelers, who will host the Tennesee Titans in Week 9 before taking on the New England Patriots at Acisure Stadium in Week 14. 

The Steelers are one of only two teams with two Thursday night games on their schedule, joining the San Francisco 49ers. 

The quality of Thursday night contests has been a hot topic of debate since debuting during the 2006 season. So, it's no surprise the NFL eventually took steps to allow for more intriguing matchups in the primetime slot. This season, it happens to be the Steelers and San Francisco 49ers who get the short end of the stick.

It's hard to believe two short weeks won't have an impact, so it will be interesting to see how the Steelers and 49ers approach the quirk in their schedules this season. If things don't work out so well, we might hear from more disgruntled players like Peterson about the flaws in NFL scheduling.