It's been less than a week since the NFL officially released the 2023 league schedule. While the Steelers have a favorable schedule overall, one glaring aspect of the 2023 campaign isn't so advantageous. The Steelers will be one of several teams to play on a short week more than once this fall. Back in March, the league approved a rule change allowing teams to play up to two games on Thursday Night Football. Previously, teams would typically only play one matchup on Thursday Night Football in a given year.
This decision from the league came with much backlash from players, most notably Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. Surprisingly enough, the Steelers' president Art Rooney II supported the NFL's decision to give teams an additional short week.
Thursday Night Football has always been a controversial topic for players as the turnaround from a Sunday game to another game the following Thursday can be extremely strenuous on the body. Despite their thoughts on the matter, players will now have the potential to take the field on Thursdays twice this season.
#Steelers president Art Rooney II said he supported the rule change that allowed #NFL teams to play two short-week Thursday Night Football games per season.
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) March 29, 2023
He did not support a measure that was tabled to allow flex scheduling of TNG games.
While having to play two Thursday games this season is unfortunate, both matchups will be hosted by the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. The two Thursday Night Football games will account for half of the Steelers' primetime games in 2023.
Since it was announced, Steelers' players have voiced frustrations with the scheduling decision. Newly acquired cornerback Patrick Peterson spoke with former Pittsburgh Steeler and Super Bowl champion Bryant McFadden on the "All Things Covered" podcast, hosted by McFadden himself. Peterson has previously spoken out against Thursday Night Football in his career and does not seem to have changed his mind.
When asked about his reaction to the two Thursday night games, Peterson explained, "That's five weeks apart. It's tough enough getting up for the first Thursday night game." The veteran cornerback would later say, "I get it. They want to find ways to get ball on TV, but at the end of the day you've got to think about our bodies."