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Steelers Owner Art Rooney II Calls On NFL To Review Results After OT Troy Fautanu Is Left Off The 2026 All-Pro List – And The Reason Behind It Has The Steelers Community Furious.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – January 12, 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers have built their identity on toughness in the trenches, and when that foundation is overlooked, the response is never quiet.

On Monday, Steelers owner Art Rooney II formally called on the National Football League to review the All-Pro voting process after offensive tackle Troy Fautanu was shockingly left off the 2026 All-Pro list entirely — not a single vote, first team or second.

For a franchise that measures greatness in consistency rather than flash, the omission struck a nerve.

Fautanu quietly authored one of the most reliable seasons by any offensive lineman in football. Week after week, he anchored protections, absorbed elite edge rushers, and provided the stability that allowed Pittsburgh’s offense to function under pressure. His work rarely showed up in highlight packages, but it was unmistakable on film.

That, according to those inside the organization, is exactly the problem.

“When you go back and watch the tape, snap by snap, matchup by matchup, you see a player doing everything this position demands — durable, disciplined, and consistent at the highest level. Troy Fautanu receiving zero All-Pro votes isn’t just an oversight; it’s a sign that how we evaluate the true value of an offensive lineman is still broken. If a player like Troy can be completely overlooked, then the question is no longer about him — it’s about the system itself.”

That sentiment has echoed throughout Pittsburgh Steelers circles since the All-Pro list was released. Offensive line analysts, former players, and coaches have pointed out that Fautanu’s value lies in preventing disasters rather than creating spectacle — a role that too often goes unrewarded in league-wide honors.

League insiders note that All-Pro voting remains heavily influenced by reputation, team offensive rankings, and visible statistics — metrics that rarely capture an offensive tackle’s true impact. Fautanu played in a balanced, team-first system where efficiency mattered more than individual numbers, and Pittsburgh believes that context unfairly worked against him.

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Rooney’s request does not seek to rewrite the 2026 All-Pro list. Instead, it challenges whether the current process can accurately recognize excellence at positions designed to operate in anonymity.

Inside the locker room, the snub has been taken personally — not as motivation, but as disrespect. Fautanu, by all accounts, has handled the moment with professionalism, continuing to prepare for the postseason with the same quiet approach that defined his season.

In Pittsburgh, respect is earned in the hardest places on the field. The Steelers believe Troy Fautanu earned his long before the ballots were cast.

The All-Pro list may be finalized, but in the Steel City, the conversation is just beginning.

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Head Coach Liam Coen Speaks Out to Defend and Thank Reporter Lynn Jones After Controversial Post-Playoff Moment
Jacksonville, Florida – After the heartbreaking 27–24 loss by the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round, a somber mood settled over the entire organization. But amid that heavy moment, an emotional act inside the postgame press conference became a rare source of comfort — and now, head coach Liam Coen has officially spoken out to defend and express deep gratitude to veteran reporter Lynn Jones. Immediately following the loss, Lynn Jones — who has been connected to the Jaguars for more than 20 years — broke from the traditional postgame press conference mold by offering an emotional message of encouragement to Coen. She congratulated him on a successful first season (13–4), urged him to “hold his head up,” and praised the Jaguars as a team for a journey worth being proud of. The sincere moment quickly spread across social media, igniting intense debate within national media circles. Some journalists and former players argued that reporters should not “console” a head coach during a press conference — a setting meant to prioritize football questions and information. However, in Jacksonville, the reaction was completely different. Fans, local media, and the Jaguars organization itself stood firmly behind Jones, viewing her words as the voice of the community in a painful moment rather than a breach of professional boundaries. Liam Coen put an end to the debate with honesty and appreciation. “Those words truly saved our souls in the darkest moment after the game,” Coen said. “You don’t always need another sharp question. Sometimes, a reminder that what we do matters to this city is more important than anything else.” According to Coen, Jones’ message helped the locker room “breathe again” after the shock of elimination. For the Jaguars, that moment went beyond wins and losses. It served as a reminder of the bond between the team and a community that has stood beside it for decades. In an NFL driven by pressure and rigid norms, Coen’s tribute to Lynn Jones reaffirmed one simple truth: amid numbers and schemes, timely compassion can still ease pain — and help preserve belief for the road ahead.