Art Rooney met with local media, including DK Pittsburgh Sports, Monday afternoon at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, for his annual availability.
Here's the full transcript:
Opening statement: Good afternoon, everyone. Just a few quick observations to get started. Obviously, it was a disappointing end to the season, losing five in a row. That's not what we expected, especially after getting off to a good start. So, we have a lot of work to do to improve going into next season. After the coaching staff is in place, the priority will be the quarterback position, for sure. We have some decisions to make there and I thought both Russ (Wilson) and Justin (Fields) showed promise in certain stretches during the season and I think they are both capable of being starters in this league. So, we have decisions and they have decisions too. On the defensive side, it starts with stopping the run and we didn't do that down the stretch, so we need to figure out how we get stronger, probably on the defensive front. But, all and all, I still think we have strengths on this roster that we can continue to build on. Hopefully, the offensive line is a strength going into the future. On the defensive side, I think our linebacking corps is still a strength. So, we have ares that we can continue to build on and look forward to getting to work here.
Q: How do you balance a 10-3 start and everything you were doing and you've seen these starts before, but you've also seen these collapses at the end of the season? It's been repeated now four of the last five years. How do you balance that and what can you do about it?
Rooney: I think we just have to keep building a strong roster. I mean, we got to play the cream of the crop there, that three-game stretch, the Christmas tournament if you will. We played the best teams in the league and obviously we can see were not there. So, we need to do what we need to do to take that next step and, like I said, I think we still have strengths that we can build on to get there. The quarterback position is a key piece of the puzzle that needs to be addressed and so that's probably No. 1.
Q: Art, you talked, last year at this time, about needing to win playoff games. You're another year into this now and I'm sure your message is the same. Do you feel like you're closer to that objective than you were a year ago?
Rooney: It's hard to say. After losing five in a row, it's hard to say we're closer. I think the biggest of the puzzle, I keep saying, is we've gotta address this quarterback position and I think when you look around and kinda see the teams that are at that next level, that's where they are and they are there for that reason. So, we got work to do.
Q: Art, why does Mike (Tomlin) remain the right guy to lead this team?
Rooney: When you look at how many games Mike has won in this league, you don't win that many games if you're not a good coach. I know he is frustrated, like we all are, in terms of not being able to take that next step. But, we still feel good about him being our, ya know, the leader, and still think he has the strengths that he always had, in terms of being able to lead a team. So, the other side of the coin is, when you look at the fact that we have six, seven, eight teams a year that turn their coaches over, when you have a good coach, you just try to keep building with them.
Q: Art, you said "after the coaching staff is in place," is it not now? Are there going to be changes?
Rooney: I mean, I don't expect wholesale changes, but yea, I think there are probably going to be a couple changes.
Q: At this time a year ago, you said that with Mike, you knew he was the right guy because he could keep guys engaged for a full season and keep them fighting to make the playoffs last year. Given the five-game losing streak to end this season, do you still feel like his message is getting through to the players in locker room? Are they still staying engaged for a whole season?
Rooney: Yeah, I mean, look, it's fair to question it after losing five in a row. But, ya know, when I talk to the players, I think the players still want to play for Mike and, so I'm not concerned about his message or that kind of an issue.
Q: Art, what is the organization's plan to find that next quarterback and could Justin or Russ be someone that you could take the next step with?
Rooney: You know, I think they are both capable quarterbacks and my preference would be to sign one of them. So, that'll be the priority and that will give us the best opportunity to move forward. Obviously, we'll be looking in the draft as well. We've got a whole quarterback room to fill so there's jobs open in there and so I wouldn't be surprised if we look in the draft as well, either this year or next. So, that's got to be the priority.
Q: Art, do you imagine bringing both of those guys back? Russ and Justin.
Rooney: I wouldn't close the door, but I say it's probably unlikely. I think both of them see themselves as starters and I don't know that they want to share the same job again next year. So, I would say, most likely, we probably don't wind up bringing them both back.
Q: Art, would it be more of a one-year kind of experiment, kind of like you had this season, or whichever one you opted to bring back would you look to have something more long term?
Rooney: I mean, ya know, it sort of takes two to tango, and so we'll see where it goes. I think my preference would probably be to have something more than a one year in place next time around. But, we'll see what it takes.
Q: When you guys replaced Ben, when he retired, you said mobility is great, but you want a guy that can read a defense and throw the ball down the field. Do you still evaluate what you need in general terms at the position the same way? Or has your view of the quarterback changing?
Rooney: No, it hasn't changed. Your quarterback has to be able to read the defense and get the team in a play that does good against the defense he's looking at and I think no matter if he's mobile or not, that's gotta be what you start with.
Q: Art, you drafted a quarterback just a couple of years ago. I can imagine you weren't necessarily envisioning having to go back to the draft for a quarterback so soon. Are there things you learned in that process, through evaluation and fit and development that can be applied, whether it's this year or next year?
Rooney: I think that obviously it's disappointing that Kenny (Pickett) didn't work out to be our long-term quarterback here and I'm not sure there's a lot to be learned from that, we just have to look at the next opportunity and make sure we do a good job evaluating the next time around.
DK: Art, more your own perspective as owner, do you see things that the Steelers can do in terms of advancing themselves, whether it's analytics and bigger coaching staffs, some kind of more overarching thing going into this offseason? Or is it just going to be 'Let's just try harder?'
Rooney: Well, I mean, look, I wouldn't dismiss anything, other than maybe bigger coaching staff, I'm not sure that that's the answer. Our coaching staff has grown and the size of staffs have continued to grow around the league. So, I don't think we're an outlier as far as that's concerned. On the analytic side, we have invested on that side. We've got more people in that department than we've ever had. But, ya know, we look at opportunities and technology changes and so there are opportunities to sort of give ourselves better resources on that front, to certainly look at.
Q: Art, you say you guys aren't an outlier as far as coaching staffs go but you do have the smallest coaching staff in the league.
Rooney: I don't think that's true.
Q: I ran the numbers, I just want to...
Rooney: It depends on who you count, but go ahead.
Q: Two teams that have fewer than 20 designated assistant coaches.
Rooney: Well, we have 27 at this point, so, again, it depends on how you count.
Q: Ok, why don't you think that expanding the coaching staff is the right direction?
Rooney: I just don't see that holding us back. I don't think that's our problem.
Q: What did you see from Justin in those first six games, that if you decided to go that way, gives you confidence?
Rooney: Ya know, obviously, we had a winning record. He handled the situation, I think, as a young quarterback who wants to come in and learn and grow and I think he did grow and I think he does have that mindset that he wants to get better. So, I think that makes you feel like you want to potentially work with him again in the future.
Q: Art, does age, when it comes to Russ and Justin, there's a 10-year gap, do you take that into consideration if you're thinking long term?
Rooney: Yea, I think you have to take that into consideration. That's a factor.
DK: Art, when you met with Mike after the season, what was the message to him?
Rooney: Disappointment. We got to really figure out how we get better and what we need to do to get better. So, I think he understands. Mike knows what the goal is here and what we're shooting for. So, he's as disappointed as I am in the way it finished.
Q: Art, last year at this time you said you were inpatient with losing in the playoffs. How would you describe your patience level now after losing the last five games to end the season?
Rooney: Yea, I'm still inpatient. Disappointed in the way we finished. So, it's hard to get over a five-game losing streak to end the season.
Q: Art, are there things that you would like to see maybe Mike do differently? Have you talked about things that maybe he needs to do differently and does that include staff changes?
Rooney: We talk about the staff all the time, so that's a process that's ongoing. Other things, probably not things that I'm ready to talk about in here, but we talked about lots of things in terms of how we get better.
Q: How would you evaluate Arthur Smith's first season with you guys?
Rooney: I think that it's hard to manage a quarterback room with quarterbacks with such different styles and so I think going into next year, I'd like to see us go in with a quarterback room, whoever it is, you kind of have two quarterbacks that can run the same system. So I look forward to that being something that we can build on and that Arthur can build on in his second year here. I certainly saw some positives and things that we improved on but, again, the end of the season was something that I didn't expect to see us finish that way.
Q: Art, over the last few years, you guys have been among the bottom five in pass attempts. Philosophically, would you like to see your offense be more open, throw the ball more than they have recently?
Rooney: I certainly hope that we continue to have a running game as one of our strengths, but bottom line is I hope we have an offense that can take advantage of whatever the defense is giving us. I think that's kind of the key.
Q: Art, talking about the running game, the value of the running back position has been debated, there's been some good running backs make waves in the league, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, two guys you saw this year, what is your evaluation of the running back market and is there any regret in not picking up Najee Harris' fifth-year option?
Rooney: Look, Najee is a good player and we'll evaluate whether we can bring him back, he's going to have choices too. So, it's a position that I think is important to us. Obviously, it's important to some other teams that have had success this year. So, maybe it's not as devalued as some might've thought. But, we have a, let's say a job opening in that room that we are going to have to fill and whether it's Najee or somebody else, it's going to be an important position.
Q: Where does improving the wide receiver room rank after quarterback and what have seen from George Pickens, it has looked like he's had some maturity issues to as well. What's your take on that?
Rooney: I think the wide receiver room is an area we have to look at improving. Look, George is a very talented player who has room to grow and we'd like to see him grow and hopefully he realizes the potential that he has. But, there's definitely room for growth there.
DK: Art, you're not somebody who hibernates or hides from the public or fans or anything like that. Do you have a sense for how mad people are? How mad these fans are?
Rooney: My inbox has been pretty full lately. I have a sense and look I share the frustration. I was very disappointed with the way we ended the season, so I understand that. I understand why people are mad and all I can say is actions speak louder than words and we've got to be better.
Q: Art, did you say half the staff is in place? Is that the way you said that?
Rooney: I didn't say half, I said a good chunk of the staff.
Q: So those are the ones that are under contract, is that the way you look at it?
Rooney: Yea.
Q: Are any of those, I mean would you consider, if some of those have to change, would you change them?
Rooney: I mean, that's still kinda the process we're going through.
Q: Art, you were asked a question, philosophically, what you want the offense to look like. There's only two teams playing right now, when you look at it, do you say 'The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most run-heavy teams, you can still win with an offense that runs the ball a lot.' Or do you look at it and say 'Patrick Mahomes is on the other side and no one can beat him, we need to find a quarterback?'
Rooney: I mean, look, it's interesting that we have two teams in the Super Bowl with such different styles. So, I think it shows you can win with more than one approach and I think the bottom line is you have to try and win with the talent that you have in the building and they have sorta two different kinds of talent in their buildings. So, it will be an interesting game. We've got to build on the strengths that we can put together in our room. I still think that running the ball is a route to success, particularly when you're playing in the north and outside, things like that.
Q: Art, going back to the Baltimore game, result aside, what was your perception of the defense, how it was playing, the engagement level, the fight in the defense in that game?
Rooney: Well, I mean it wasn't good enough, let's say that. It wasn't good enough. I think we were a team that was coming off four losses in a row and we may have had some confidence problems going into that game. I don't know for sure, but it was not a great performance and, like I said, hard to overcome that, but we will.
Q: Art, Joe asked you about George, and you said there were some growth opportunities there, but the list of guys that have sort of fit that mold in that room is going back, I mean, 10 years, you've had a guy that has sort of generated off the field stuff, while being productive players. Do you guys have to re-evaluate how you evaluate that position?
Rooney: You know, I think that every team seems to have one or two guys in that room that are, you know, that you have to manage them correctly. So, ya know, I still think that George still has enough talent that we've got to try to work and see if we can get him to fulfill the talent that he really has. Who knows if we can get there, we'll see. But, ya know, when you have guys that are as talented as some of the guys that you are probably thinking of, you try to work with them and have them help you be successful.
Q: Have you guys had any thoughts about, he's entering the last year of his rookie deal, have you guys had any talks yet about whether you would look toward extending him?
Rooney: No, we haven't gotten into talking about his contract yet.
Q: Art, we talked a lot about offensive philosophies, when you look at defensive philosophies, are there things, just big picture wise, that you think you maybe need to change defensively, whether that's moving T.J. (Watt) around more or doing more exotic blitzes, things like that to maybe be able to stop some of these high-powered offenses that are popping up around the league?
Rooney: Well, I mean, look, I'm not a defensive coach so I can't go into great detail on our defensive schemes. I would just say that we need, if you're going to stop the run you gotta be disciplined in your gaps and sometimes we weren't and I'm not sure why. So there are things like that that I think we have to look at and I'm sure that the coaching staff will be looking at that.
Q: Art, your brother recently went on a podcast and made some news. Is that the sentiment that the organization feels as a whole, what he said on that podcast?
Rooney: Ya know, Jim speaks for himself and I'm happy that he's doing good selling his book.
Q: You've invested heavily on the defense the last several years and you still kinda haven't gotten over that hump. Do you maybe need to reposition and kinda trust the offense more at the expense of the defense? Or are you comfortable with where you've spent recently.
Rooney: Well, I mean, look, as we've said we have a position in the running back room we're gonna have to address. I think we have positions in the wide receiver room we're going to have to address. So, ya know, I hope that we don't do that at the expense of the defense but we do have positions that we have to address on that side of the ball at this point for sure.
Q: Art, this time a year ago you were assessing the facilities of the stadium, looking at different improvements that might need to be made. What kind of conclusions did you of draw from that and where are things in terms of stadium upgrades or practice facility upgrades?
Rooney: We are still looking at both and need to continue to look at that and come to some conclusions. Not quite there yet in terms of definite conclusions on anything. But we've spent a lot of money on consultants.
Q: Art, T.J. Watt said after the season that he wants to be part of the solution. He has one year left on his contract, is an extension a priority for him this offseason?
Rooney: Ya know, I think that's something that we want to look at this offseason. T. J. has been one of the foundations of the defense for quite a number of years now and we certainly hope that we can have T.J. here for the future beyond this year.
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THE ASYLUM
Dejan Kovacevic
6:42 pm - 01.27.2025South SideFinal: Art Rooney access
Art Rooney met with local media, including DK Pittsburgh Sports, Monday afternoon at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, for his annual availability.
Here's the full transcript:
Opening statement: Good afternoon, everyone. Just a few quick observations to get started. Obviously, it was a disappointing end to the season, losing five in a row. That's not what we expected, especially after getting off to a good start. So, we have a lot of work to do to improve going into next season. After the coaching staff is in place, the priority will be the quarterback position, for sure. We have some decisions to make there and I thought both Russ (Wilson) and Justin (Fields) showed promise in certain stretches during the season and I think they are both capable of being starters in this league. So, we have decisions and they have decisions too. On the defensive side, it starts with stopping the run and we didn't do that down the stretch, so we need to figure out how we get stronger, probably on the defensive front. But, all and all, I still think we have strengths on this roster that we can continue to build on. Hopefully, the offensive line is a strength going into the future. On the defensive side, I think our linebacking corps is still a strength. So, we have ares that we can continue to build on and look forward to getting to work here.
Q: How do you balance a 10-3 start and everything you were doing and you've seen these starts before, but you've also seen these collapses at the end of the season? It's been repeated now four of the last five years. How do you balance that and what can you do about it?
Rooney: I think we just have to keep building a strong roster. I mean, we got to play the cream of the crop there, that three-game stretch, the Christmas tournament if you will. We played the best teams in the league and obviously we can see were not there. So, we need to do what we need to do to take that next step and, like I said, I think we still have strengths that we can build on to get there. The quarterback position is a key piece of the puzzle that needs to be addressed and so that's probably No. 1.
Q: Art, you talked, last year at this time, about needing to win playoff games. You're another year into this now and I'm sure your message is the same. Do you feel like you're closer to that objective than you were a year ago?
Rooney: It's hard to say. After losing five in a row, it's hard to say we're closer. I think the biggest of the puzzle, I keep saying, is we've gotta address this quarterback position and I think when you look around and kinda see the teams that are at that next level, that's where they are and they are there for that reason. So, we got work to do.
Q: Art, why does Mike (Tomlin) remain the right guy to lead this team?
Rooney: When you look at how many games Mike has won in this league, you don't win that many games if you're not a good coach. I know he is frustrated, like we all are, in terms of not being able to take that next step. But, we still feel good about him being our, ya know, the leader, and still think he has the strengths that he always had, in terms of being able to lead a team. So, the other side of the coin is, when you look at the fact that we have six, seven, eight teams a year that turn their coaches over, when you have a good coach, you just try to keep building with them.
Q: Art, you said "after the coaching staff is in place," is it not now? Are there going to be changes?
Rooney: I mean, I don't expect wholesale changes, but yea, I think there are probably going to be a couple changes.
Q: At this time a year ago, you said that with Mike, you knew he was the right guy because he could keep guys engaged for a full season and keep them fighting to make the playoffs last year. Given the five-game losing streak to end this season, do you still feel like his message is getting through to the players in locker room? Are they still staying engaged for a whole season?
Rooney: Yeah, I mean, look, it's fair to question it after losing five in a row. But, ya know, when I talk to the players, I think the players still want to play for Mike and, so I'm not concerned about his message or that kind of an issue.
Q: Art, what is the organization's plan to find that next quarterback and could Justin or Russ be someone that you could take the next step with?
Rooney: You know, I think they are both capable quarterbacks and my preference would be to sign one of them. So, that'll be the priority and that will give us the best opportunity to move forward. Obviously, we'll be looking in the draft as well. We've got a whole quarterback room to fill so there's jobs open in there and so I wouldn't be surprised if we look in the draft as well, either this year or next. So, that's got to be the priority.
Q: Art, do you imagine bringing both of those guys back? Russ and Justin.
Rooney: I wouldn't close the door, but I say it's probably unlikely. I think both of them see themselves as starters and I don't know that they want to share the same job again next year. So, I would say, most likely, we probably don't wind up bringing them both back.
Q: Art, would it be more of a one-year kind of experiment, kind of like you had this season, or whichever one you opted to bring back would you look to have something more long term?
Rooney: I mean, ya know, it sort of takes two to tango, and so we'll see where it goes. I think my preference would probably be to have something more than a one year in place next time around. But, we'll see what it takes.
Q: When you guys replaced Ben, when he retired, you said mobility is great, but you want a guy that can read a defense and throw the ball down the field. Do you still evaluate what you need in general terms at the position the same way? Or has your view of the quarterback changing?
Rooney: No, it hasn't changed. Your quarterback has to be able to read the defense and get the team in a play that does good against the defense he's looking at and I think no matter if he's mobile or not, that's gotta be what you start with.
Q: Art, you drafted a quarterback just a couple of years ago. I can imagine you weren't necessarily envisioning having to go back to the draft for a quarterback so soon. Are there things you learned in that process, through evaluation and fit and development that can be applied, whether it's this year or next year?
Rooney: I think that obviously it's disappointing that Kenny (Pickett) didn't work out to be our long-term quarterback here and I'm not sure there's a lot to be learned from that, we just have to look at the next opportunity and make sure we do a good job evaluating the next time around.
DK: Art, more your own perspective as owner, do you see things that the Steelers can do in terms of advancing themselves, whether it's analytics and bigger coaching staffs, some kind of more overarching thing going into this offseason? Or is it just going to be 'Let's just try harder?'
Rooney: Well, I mean, look, I wouldn't dismiss anything, other than maybe bigger coaching staff, I'm not sure that that's the answer. Our coaching staff has grown and the size of staffs have continued to grow around the league. So, I don't think we're an outlier as far as that's concerned. On the analytic side, we have invested on that side. We've got more people in that department than we've ever had. But, ya know, we look at opportunities and technology changes and so there are opportunities to sort of give ourselves better resources on that front, to certainly look at.
Q: Art, you say you guys aren't an outlier as far as coaching staffs go but you do have the smallest coaching staff in the league.
Rooney: I don't think that's true.
Q: I ran the numbers, I just want to...
Rooney: It depends on who you count, but go ahead.
Q: Two teams that have fewer than 20 designated assistant coaches.
Rooney: Well, we have 27 at this point, so, again, it depends on how you count.
Q: Ok, why don't you think that expanding the coaching staff is the right direction?
Rooney: I just don't see that holding us back. I don't think that's our problem.
Q: What did you see from Justin in those first six games, that if you decided to go that way, gives you confidence?
Rooney: Ya know, obviously, we had a winning record. He handled the situation, I think, as a young quarterback who wants to come in and learn and grow and I think he did grow and I think he does have that mindset that he wants to get better. So, I think that makes you feel like you want to potentially work with him again in the future.
Q: Art, does age, when it comes to Russ and Justin, there's a 10-year gap, do you take that into consideration if you're thinking long term?
Rooney: Yea, I think you have to take that into consideration. That's a factor.
DK: Art, when you met with Mike after the season, what was the message to him?
Rooney: Disappointment. We got to really figure out how we get better and what we need to do to get better. So, I think he understands. Mike knows what the goal is here and what we're shooting for. So, he's as disappointed as I am in the way it finished.
Q: Art, last year at this time you said you were inpatient with losing in the playoffs. How would you describe your patience level now after losing the last five games to end the season?
Rooney: Yea, I'm still inpatient. Disappointed in the way we finished. So, it's hard to get over a five-game losing streak to end the season.
Q: Art, are there things that you would like to see maybe Mike do differently? Have you talked about things that maybe he needs to do differently and does that include staff changes?
Rooney: We talk about the staff all the time, so that's a process that's ongoing. Other things, probably not things that I'm ready to talk about in here, but we talked about lots of things in terms of how we get better.
Q: How would you evaluate Arthur Smith's first season with you guys?
Rooney: I think that it's hard to manage a quarterback room with quarterbacks with such different styles and so I think going into next year, I'd like to see us go in with a quarterback room, whoever it is, you kind of have two quarterbacks that can run the same system. So I look forward to that being something that we can build on and that Arthur can build on in his second year here. I certainly saw some positives and things that we improved on but, again, the end of the season was something that I didn't expect to see us finish that way.
Q: Art, over the last few years, you guys have been among the bottom five in pass attempts. Philosophically, would you like to see your offense be more open, throw the ball more than they have recently?
Rooney: I certainly hope that we continue to have a running game as one of our strengths, but bottom line is I hope we have an offense that can take advantage of whatever the defense is giving us. I think that's kind of the key.
Q: Art, talking about the running game, the value of the running back position has been debated, there's been some good running backs make waves in the league, Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, two guys you saw this year, what is your evaluation of the running back market and is there any regret in not picking up Najee Harris' fifth-year option?
Rooney: Look, Najee is a good player and we'll evaluate whether we can bring him back, he's going to have choices too. So, it's a position that I think is important to us. Obviously, it's important to some other teams that have had success this year. So, maybe it's not as devalued as some might've thought. But, we have a, let's say a job opening in that room that we are going to have to fill and whether it's Najee or somebody else, it's going to be an important position.
Q: Where does improving the wide receiver room rank after quarterback and what have seen from George Pickens, it has looked like he's had some maturity issues to as well. What's your take on that?
Rooney: I think the wide receiver room is an area we have to look at improving. Look, George is a very talented player who has room to grow and we'd like to see him grow and hopefully he realizes the potential that he has. But, there's definitely room for growth there.
DK: Art, you're not somebody who hibernates or hides from the public or fans or anything like that. Do you have a sense for how mad people are? How mad these fans are?
Rooney: My inbox has been pretty full lately. I have a sense and look I share the frustration. I was very disappointed with the way we ended the season, so I understand that. I understand why people are mad and all I can say is actions speak louder than words and we've got to be better.
Q: Art, did you say half the staff is in place? Is that the way you said that?
Rooney: I didn't say half, I said a good chunk of the staff.
Q: So those are the ones that are under contract, is that the way you look at it?
Rooney: Yea.
Q: Are any of those, I mean would you consider, if some of those have to change, would you change them?
Rooney: I mean, that's still kinda the process we're going through.
Q: Art, you were asked a question, philosophically, what you want the offense to look like. There's only two teams playing right now, when you look at it, do you say 'The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the most run-heavy teams, you can still win with an offense that runs the ball a lot.' Or do you look at it and say 'Patrick Mahomes is on the other side and no one can beat him, we need to find a quarterback?'
Rooney: I mean, look, it's interesting that we have two teams in the Super Bowl with such different styles. So, I think it shows you can win with more than one approach and I think the bottom line is you have to try and win with the talent that you have in the building and they have sorta two different kinds of talent in their buildings. So, it will be an interesting game. We've got to build on the strengths that we can put together in our room. I still think that running the ball is a route to success, particularly when you're playing in the north and outside, things like that.
Q: Art, going back to the Baltimore game, result aside, what was your perception of the defense, how it was playing, the engagement level, the fight in the defense in that game?
Rooney: Well, I mean it wasn't good enough, let's say that. It wasn't good enough. I think we were a team that was coming off four losses in a row and we may have had some confidence problems going into that game. I don't know for sure, but it was not a great performance and, like I said, hard to overcome that, but we will.
Q: Art, Joe asked you about George, and you said there were some growth opportunities there, but the list of guys that have sort of fit that mold in that room is going back, I mean, 10 years, you've had a guy that has sort of generated off the field stuff, while being productive players. Do you guys have to re-evaluate how you evaluate that position?
Rooney: You know, I think that every team seems to have one or two guys in that room that are, you know, that you have to manage them correctly. So, ya know, I still think that George still has enough talent that we've got to try to work and see if we can get him to fulfill the talent that he really has. Who knows if we can get there, we'll see. But, ya know, when you have guys that are as talented as some of the guys that you are probably thinking of, you try to work with them and have them help you be successful.
Q: Have you guys had any thoughts about, he's entering the last year of his rookie deal, have you guys had any talks yet about whether you would look toward extending him?
Rooney: No, we haven't gotten into talking about his contract yet.
Q: Art, we talked a lot about offensive philosophies, when you look at defensive philosophies, are there things, just big picture wise, that you think you maybe need to change defensively, whether that's moving T.J. (Watt) around more or doing more exotic blitzes, things like that to maybe be able to stop some of these high-powered offenses that are popping up around the league?
Rooney: Well, I mean, look, I'm not a defensive coach so I can't go into great detail on our defensive schemes. I would just say that we need, if you're going to stop the run you gotta be disciplined in your gaps and sometimes we weren't and I'm not sure why. So there are things like that that I think we have to look at and I'm sure that the coaching staff will be looking at that.
Q: Art, your brother recently went on a podcast and made some news. Is that the sentiment that the organization feels as a whole, what he said on that podcast?
Rooney: Ya know, Jim speaks for himself and I'm happy that he's doing good selling his book.
Q: You've invested heavily on the defense the last several years and you still kinda haven't gotten over that hump. Do you maybe need to reposition and kinda trust the offense more at the expense of the defense? Or are you comfortable with where you've spent recently.
Rooney: Well, I mean, look, as we've said we have a position in the running back room we're gonna have to address. I think we have positions in the wide receiver room we're going to have to address. So, ya know, I hope that we don't do that at the expense of the defense but we do have positions that we have to address on that side of the ball at this point for sure.
Q: Art, this time a year ago you were assessing the facilities of the stadium, looking at different improvements that might need to be made. What kind of conclusions did you of draw from that and where are things in terms of stadium upgrades or practice facility upgrades?
Rooney: We are still looking at both and need to continue to look at that and come to some conclusions. Not quite there yet in terms of definite conclusions on anything. But we've spent a lot of money on consultants.
Q: Art, T.J. Watt said after the season that he wants to be part of the solution. He has one year left on his contract, is an extension a priority for him this offseason?
Rooney: Ya know, I think that's something that we want to look at this offseason. T. J. has been one of the foundations of the defense for quite a number of years now and we certainly hope that we can have T.J. here for the future beyond this year.
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