The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a sad state of affairs right now. Losers of back-to-back games against the bottom feeders of the NFL, and even though their playoff hopes are alive and well at 7-6, that feels like a pipe dream, at best. Everyone is frustrated with the team at this juncture of the season. Players, coaches, fans, and you can even throw former players into the fray.

Former players are seemingly lining up to bash the current team in a multitude of ways. Here are just a few:

Ben Roethlisberger on how the “Steelers Tradition” might be thing of the past:

Ben Roethlisberger did not hold back. (Via Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger) #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/HjQHA5amfe

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 13, 2023

How about former back up nose tackle Chris Hoke calling out Minkah Fitzpatrick, of all people, on 93.7 The Fan:

Former Steeler Chris Hoke called out Minkah Fitzpatrick on @937theFan:

"Minkah has 64 tackles, 0 interceptions, 0 forced fumbles, 0 fumble recoveries. "A" players have to play "A" ball in games like last Thursday & this Saturday. They haven't gotten that from him this season."

— Matt Koll (@MKoll15) December 14, 2023

Let’s not forget former scout Merril Hoge giving his two cents on the tight ends the Steelers currently deploy:

Merril Hoge on the Steelers tight ends: “It might be the worst group of route runners in the NFL, okay. Half the time, they quit on routes. The pick that Trubisky threw, Freiermuth makes a move and just quits….It’s the only term I can think of but our tight ends look like two…

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 13, 2023

The criticism of the current Steelers has run rampant across social media and the air waves. Everyone has an opinion, and they take not time voicing said opinion, but does it even matter? It matters to the fans. It gets them riled up and ready to storm to proverbial castle if things don’t go the way they feel it should.

But how about the players? How about those on the current roster? Do they care? I wouldn’t say they don’t care, but these criticisms certainly fall on deaf ears.

Here is Cam Heyward joining the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football show, and answering questions on Roethlisberger’s comments:

. @CamHeyward replies to former QB Ben Roethlisberger saying "Maybe the tradition of the Pittsburgh Steelers is done…"

+ How the team is prepping for Week 15 in Indianapolis pic.twitter.com/1lyDKQIhE6

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) December 14, 2023

Najee Harris was also asked about the comments of his former teammate and quarterback during his media availability. Here was his response:

Najee Harris responding to Ben Roethlisberger’s recent comments. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/yAFKhOwg3P

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 13, 2023

There will be some who view the current players’ responses and deem them to be ignorant or tone deaf, but when I wrote they were falling on deaf ears that doesn’t necessarily mean it is a negative thing. If this were the offseason, the team would have the time to think about and consider the comments made and how it might impact them.

But now? Preparing for a must-win game in Week 15? This is the last thing which should be on their minds.

The Steelers beating the Colts will not just boost their playoff hopes, but give them a much-needed boost of confidence. That is contrary to what these former players are spewing over different platforms. Could the comments made by these former players ignite a fire in the locker room? It absolutely could. Will it motivate players like Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington and Conner Heyward to step up their game? I’d hope so. But I also understand their responses as it pertains to the comments.

The fact of the matter is the Steelers should be focused on the Colts, and nothing else. Not comments by Roethlisberger, Hoke, Hoge or even a legend like Rocky Bleier. The hope is the current Steelers have the wherewithal to block out the noise, and focus on the task at hand. Because the No.1 cure for criticism is simple, win.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the Colts on Saturday in Week 15 of the regular season.