Pittsburgh Steelers sports radio host Mark Madden has been furious with the Steelers' leadership for quite some time. Previously, he has criticized team owner Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan, whom he labeled the "Idiot Twins."

However, on Saturday, he shifted the term towards Rooney and former head coach Mike Tomlin during an episode of his podcast, 105.9 The X.

"Tomlin changed the culture of the locker room for the negative, let it lapse," Madden said. "And the idiot twins aren't Omar. They have let the culture of the organization lapse. They just don't do things the Steeler way anymore. And what's even more tragic is they think, they do."

From 2007 to 2025, Tomlin was the HC of the Steelers, after which Mike McCarthy became the new head coach.

For years, Madden has criticized the front office, arguing that the team's current management relies on poor planning and rigid loyalty rather than winning strategies.

In his view, the disciplined, blue-collar culture established under coaches Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher has faded. He largely attributes this shift and the decline in locker room standards to former head coach Mike Tomlin.

Reports from TribLive state that the major breaking point for Madden is the front office's decision. Which was to hand a massive four-year, $100 million contract extension to linebacker Nick Herbig. 

He is a backup player who isn't even a regular starter. Madden finds it unbelievable to allocate that kind of money to a reserve who will not be starting until 2027. Secondly, the Steelers are spending $192 million on their defense, but their defense finished seventh from bottom during the 2025 season. 

However, Madden's first use of the term 'idiot twins' was for owner Rooney and Omar Khan, for the financial expenditure. But for the cultural downfall in his eyes, he sees Rooney and Tomlin responsible.

Many Steelers fans completely agree with Madden's frustration. Exhausted by early playoff exits and a Super Bowl drought stretching back to 2008, supporters are tired of overpaying backups.

Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan is Losing Fan Support 

According to a report by Still Curtain, some fans questioned Steelers GM Omar Khan due to his short-term approach to building the roster.

A clear example came during the 2026 NFL Draft. Even though Khan had 12 picks, he chose not to trade up to secure star wide receiver Makai Lemon, allowing the Philadelphia Eagles to step in and draft him instead.

The report suggests Khan believes the team is always close to a championship, which keeps him from entering a true rebuilding phase.

This mindset was on display when he brought back 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the 2026 season and signed veterans like WR Michael Pittman Jr. and CB Jamel Dean.

With key players getting older, critics worry the roster is declining. While Khan has made clever moves in the past, concerns about his current philosophy loom.

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Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Rudra Dubey