The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a surprising—and controversial—roster move less than 48 hours after their frustrating 26–7 defeat to the Buffalo Bills. The decision arrives at a critical moment for a team fighting to keep its AFC playoff hopes alive.

The move stems from a viral late-night social media post that spread rapidly across X and ignited immediate backlash. The message — “I think the season is over.” — appeared shortly after the loss in Buffalo, triggering anger among fans and raising internal concerns about the mindset within the locker room.

By Tuesday morning, team sources confirmed that the player behind the post was wide receiver Cornell Powell, a former fifth-round pick who has spent most of the year on the Steelers’ practice squad. Powell, who was elevated for limited snaps earlier in the season, was officially released Tuesday.

League insiders say Pittsburgh had been considering practice-squad changes for weeks. However, the timing and tone of Powell’s post accelerated the decision, with several coaches reportedly upset at the message’s impact on team morale.

To stabilize depth after the release, Pittsburgh simultaneously added defensive back Daequan Hardy to the practice squad, reinforcing a secondary that has battled injuries and inconsistency through the middle of the season.

Inside the facility, Steelers leadership is emphasizing unity as the team attempts to bounce back from its recent struggles. Head coach Mike Tomlin addressed players directly, reminding them that belief—not doubt—will determine whether Pittsburgh’s season continues into January.

While Powell’s exit marks an abrupt end to his time in Pittsburgh, league evaluators expect he will still draw interest elsewhere, particularly from teams in need of late-season receiving depth.

For now, the Steelers turn the page quickly, hoping to quiet the drama and regain momentum as they prepare for Week 14’s decisive stretch run.