Steelers NFLPA grades rank near the bottom of the league again

The new NFL league year is set to begin on March 10th with the start of the legal tampering period, and every year the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) releases their annual “report card” where players grade their respective organizations in several categories.

Those categories are:

• Treatment of Facilities
• Food and Dining
• Nutrition/Dietitian
• Locker Room
• Training Room
• Training Staff
• Weight Room
• Strength Coaches
• Team Travel
• Head Coach
• Ownership

The reason for the timing of these grades being released at this point is really simple. It is an opportunity for the NFLPA to let prospective free agents know what they might be getting into as they look around the league at teams who might be vying for their services in 2025, and beyond.

Last year these grades weren’t very kind to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and that trend continued into 2025. Here is how the Steelers were graded in each of the categories, and what was the reasoning behind the grades.

Treatment of Facilities

Grade: C-

The Steelers began providing daycare during home games this year.

They are one of 10 teams that do not provide a family room during home games.

Players rate the post-game family area 6.59 out of 10, ranking them 26 out of 32 teams.

The players feel that the team organizes family events several times per year, which ranks 17 out of 32 teams.

Food and Dining

Grade: B-

The Pittsburgh Steelers rate the taste of their team’s food 7.91 out of 10, a ranking of 20 out of 32.

They rate the freshness of their food 8.17 out of 10, a ranking of 20 out of 32.

The players rate their dining area 7.81 out of 10, ranking it 24 out of 32 NFL team dining areas.

Nutrition/Dietitian

Grade: C+

71% of players report that they get an individualized nutrition plan, ranking the Steelers 25 out of 32 teams.

The players feel that their dietician is not accessible enough, a ranking of 31 out of 32.

Players want their team nutritionist to be there more often.

Locker Room

Grade: D

70% of players feel they have enough room in their individual lockers, a ranking of 25 out of 32.

77% of players feel the locker room size is adequate, ranking the Steelers 22 out of 32 teams.

Players report that the locker room needs renovation.

Training Room

Grade: C+

85% of Steelers players feel they have enough full-time trainers, ranking them 22 out of 32 teams.

82% of players feel they have enough full-time physical therapists, a rank of 20 out of 32.

74% of players feel they have enough hot tub space, a rank of 22 out of 32.

76% of players feel they have enough cold tub space, a rank of 22 out of 32.

Players feel that the training room needs an additional staff member and more space to make room for updated equipment and newer recovery modalities.

Training Staff

Grade: B

89% of Steelers players report that they receive enough one-on-one training treatment, ranking them 13 out of 32 teams.

The players feel that the training staff slightly contributes to their overall success, ranking them 21 of 32.

Weight Room

Grade: C+

The players feel their weight room equipment is good quality, ranking them 20 out of 32 teams.

The players do not feel like they have enough space to train effectively, a ranking of 25 out of 32.

Strength Coaches

Grade: C-

75% of players report that they get an individualized training plan from their strength coaching staff, ranking the team 31 out of 32.

The players feel that their strength coaches slightly contribute to their overall success, a rank of 32 out of 32 teams.

Team Travel

Grade: B+

94% of the Steelers players believe they have a comfortable amount of personal space on team flights, ranking them 10 out of 32.

The players feel their team’s travel schedule is somewhat efficient, a rank of 21 out of 32 teams.

Head Coach

Grade: A

95% of Steelers players believe their head coach Mike Tomlin is efficient with their time, a rank of 15 out of 32.

The players feel that Tomlin is moderately receptive to locker room feedback on the team’s needs, ranking him 15 of 32 head coaches in the league.

Ownership

Grade: D

Owner Art Rooney II’s average rating for perceived willingness to invest in the facilities is 6.00 out of 10 from the Steelers players, a ranking of 30 out of 32 owners in the league.

The players feel that Rooney slightly contributes to a positive team culture, a rank of 25 out of 32.

The players feel that Rooney is committed to building a competitive team, a rank of 22 of the 32 NFL owners.

Overall, the Steelers rank 28th out of 32 teams as it pertains to these grades. If you want to see the full grades around the NFL, click HERE.

When you look at these grades, it certainly doesn’t shine a positive light on the organization in many facets. Sharing a facility with the University of Pittsburgh absolutely doesn’t help the cause, but possibly the most shocking grades were an ‘A’, and the only ‘A’ grade, to Mike Tomlin with Art Rooney II and ownership getting the grade of a ‘D’, the lowest grade along side the locker room grade.

Let us know what you think of these grades in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Combine and the new league year.