The NFL Annual League Meeting wrapped up on Tuesday, and Steelers President Art Rooney II addressed some of the topics that were discussed as it came to a close.
"Not a heck of a lot of dramatic news, but we've passed a few different playing rules and just a lot other business," said Rooney. "But nothing dramatic that I can share with you."
One of the topics Rooney was asked about was NFL's Rooney Rule. The Rooney Rule, established in 2003 and named after Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, requires teams to interview at least two minority candidates for head coaching, coordinator and general manager positions. In addition, interviewing one minority candidate is required for the quarterback coach position. Also, at least one minority and/or female candidate must be interviewed for senior level positions.
Recently Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier questioned the legality of the Rooney Rule.
"I don't anticipate any dramatic changes to the Rooney Rule," said Rooney on Wednesday afternoon. "We always are looking at our employment policies, and every year we do an analysis of what we're doing, what we can do to improve the situation, but I don't expect any major changes to the Rooney Rule.
"We had a little discussion about the Rooney Rule. There were some questions about it. There was no action taken, just a statement from the Florida Attorney General. So, probably have some conversations with the Attorney General down there just to make sure he understands what exactly we do. It's not a hiring rule. So, I think we're comfortable with where we are.
"I think everybody's still in favor of the Rooney Rule. There's no discussion about getting rid of it, that's for sure."
As has been the case with most media-related Steelers conversations during the League Meeting, Rooney was asked about the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and if he has had any recent contact with him.
"I have not talked to him," said Rooney. "Coach (Mike McCarthy) has been in contact with him pretty regularly and I think the decision is probably coming soon.
"I would say by the draft, I expect an answer."
With the NFL Draft being held in Pittsburgh on April 23-25, Rooney is excited about the progress that is being made on the North Shore where the Draft Theater is under construction.
"The preparations are coming good," said Rooney. "I think people are now going to start to see things coming out of the ground on the North Shore. So, it's going to be an exciting time and we're really looking forward to it."
What else fans are starting to see are images of Acrisure Stadium, where new seats are being installed. And among what has traditionally been a sea of gold seats, black seats are also now being randomly installed among the gold.
"As we were making changes to the seating, the sea of gold sometimes gets overwhelming," said Rooney. "So, we did add a little black and gold in there this time around."
When the 2026 season rolls around, the stadium will also have a new playing surface, Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass, which is a weather durable sod.
"The fields actually will be planted at a sod farm," said Rooney. "So, we won't get the new field until sometime in August. But as we've talked about, it'll be a new surface, a new kind of grass mixture. And look forward to seeing how it works.
"We chose to make the change. It wasn't mandated by the league. It's been in use in some other stadiums around the country and seems to be having success, so we decided to make the change."
