The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing heavy criticism after fans and reporters shared the team’s travel plans for the trip to Dublin, Ireland. The Steelers will play the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park on September 28, 2025, in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Ireland.

Many people noticed the Steelers’ plane looked smaller than the jets other NFL teams use for long overseas trips. Fans said larger charter planes let more players sit in business or first class and get better rest before a big game. The social posts spread quickly and turned into a wider debate about player care and travel.

Pittsburgh Steelers travel plan sparks online outcry

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac wrote that the Steelers wanted to fly to Ireland earlier in the week but were told not to, and his post drew major attention online.

Gerry Dulac tweeted on X: “FYI, the Steelers wanted to go over early in the week, but the NFL said no and making each [team] arrive at the same time.” That message was shared by national outlets and fans then posted side-by-side pictures of team charters to show the difference. Many replies argued players need space to sleep, move and stretch on very long flights. The online reaction included questions about who decided the travel plan and why the team did not arrange a larger plane for more comfort for the players.

Gerry Dulac, Michael Signora and team response

The story shifted after Michael Signora, the NFL senior vice-president for international communications, said teams generally decide their own travel timing and that choices often depend on hotel and practice-site availability. Michael Signora’s comment suggested the league did not force the Pittsburgh Steelers’ schedule. Some outlets had earlier reported the NFL blocked the team from traveling early, which fed the criticism, but Signora offered a different view. Reporters also noted the Pittsburgh Steelers scheduled a Friday practice at Carton House in Ireland and a walkthrough before the Sunday game, which may explain the timing. Reporters said the debate kept growing while exact flight details and who made the final call were still being checked by news outlets.