NFL Sparks Outrage After Blocking Pittsburgh Steelers’ Trip To Ireland

September 24, 2025 

The NFL made headlines this season by scheduling its first-ever regular-season game in Ireland. But instead of excitement, controversy has quickly taken center stage.

The Pittsburgh Steelers had requested to fly to Dublin early in the week to prepare for their historic Week 4 clash, but the league denied the request. According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac, the NFL mandated that both teams must arrive at the same time, removing any flexibility.

“The Steelers wanted to go over early in the week, but the NFL said no, making each team arrive at the same time,” Dulac explained. “Maybe it has to do with something about a competitive advantage. But it wasn’t the Steelers’ decision.”

Already anxious over injuries plaguing the roster, fans erupted once news broke that the NFL had blocked the early arrival plan. Social media filled with frustration:

• “They’re gonna make us play over there and then tell us we can’t go early?? What a load of nonsense.”
• “The team should have left straight from Boston after Sunday’s game. The NFL shouldn’t control when they travel.”
• “If the NFL is going to block this kind of planning, they shouldn’t even send teams to Europe. Bring back NFL Europe or keep these games in the preseason.”
• Another fan summed it up simply: “So now fans can’t blame Tomlin.”

Steelers fans have reason to worry. Back in 2013, Pittsburgh traveled to London on a Thursday for a Sunday matchup. The short turnaround was disastrous — former QB Ben Roethlisberger admitted the team was “so exhausted and gassed” by kickoff. DL Cameron Heyward recalled coaches literally falling asleep in meetings. The Steelers lost that game 34–27.

Now, with a 9:30 a.m. kickoff in Dublin looming, many fear déjà vu. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings get consecutive international games — a scheduling quirk fans say highlights the league’s inconsistency.

Critics argue the NFL allows teams to choose bye weeks after international trips, yet blocks them from making basic travel decisions. That double standard has not been well received in Pittsburgh.

For a team already under pressure after a bumpy offseason, the stakes in Dublin are high. If the Steelers stumble in Week 4, fans say the blame won’t land on Mike Tomlin — it will fall squarely on the league office.