Pittsburgh Steelers Q&A: Labriola on international games, replay
Bob Labriola answered a range of fan questions in his Asked and Answered column published Oct. 27, 2026 on Steelers.com, addressing topics from international games to officiating and stadium turf. Labriola used the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent appearance in Paris and previous international matchups to frame several of the queries. The column included explanation of sideline procedures for late field goals, comments on instant replay, and observations about the teams new turf at Acrisure Stadium.
On the topic of international games, Labriola said stadium crowds typically include a mix of local residents and traveling fans from the United States and elsewhere. He noted that many NFL supporters in Europe will travel to see their team in person and that the leagues stated goal is to grow American football into a global attraction. Labriola added that there often are more cities interested in hosting international games than there are available game dates, leaving the league in a selective position.
When asked about NFL officiating and the role of instant replay, Labriola said he could not identify a clear path to what would constitute meaningful change. He traced some problems to the introduction of instant replay and the erosion of the original “clear and obvious” standard into a frame-by-frame review process. Labriola also referenced criticism from broadcasters as part of the broader debate over officiating standards.
Labriola explained that end-of-half clock management decisions, such as whether to spike the ball or run a rapid field-goal substitution, are not made by the quarterback on the field but are part of practiced sideline plans. Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman told Labriola that the team rehearses the “fire drill” field-goal situation multiple times a week during camp and that personnel changes and timing are coordinated based on timeouts and clock situation. Crossman said the practice and planning help ensure players hustle off and the kicking unit gets in place to execute the play.
On logistics for international games, Labriola said the NFL oversees stadium operations and that decisions such as public-address announcers can be made at the league level. He noted that teams bring staff from nearly every department for overseas games, including public relations, community relations, equipment, video, IT and digital content. Those staffing needs often require multiple flights and careful coordination to ensure personnel are present when required.
Labriola addressed several additional fan questions, saying uniform selections are an ownership decision within parameters set by the NFL and expressing limited interest in ESPNs QBR metric, preferring the traditional passer rating when discussing perfection. He relayed that Coach Mike McCarthy tends to look first to practice-squad players when a replacement is needed and that quality defensive backs are not commonly available in trades. Regarding field surface, Labriola described the switch this year to Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass at Acrisure Stadium as successful, saying it has passed the “eye test” during home games.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Labriolas column underscores how the Steelers and the league balance growth and logistics as the NFL expands internationally; the mixture of local and traveling fans and the leagues active role in stadium operations make overseas games complex but clearly in demand. The explanation of the practiced field-goal substitution highlights how situational reps and special teams preparation are built into game planning to manage late-clock scenarios. His comments on instant replay reflect a persistent tension between technology-aided review and the desire for clear, consistent standards, and they illustrate why officiating remains a debated topic. Notes about roster management and the turf change are pragmatic details that signal the clubs operational focus on depth, readiness and player surface conditions as the season progresses.