The Pittsburgh Steelers should already be back in the 412 area code, but they aren’t.

At least not yet.

Following the team’s 23-18 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday Night Football in Week 3, the team boarded their chartered plane to be a non-stop flight from Vegas to Pittsburgh. No one thought they’d have a layover in Kansas City.

Nonetheless, that’s exactly what happened as the team plane was forced to unexpectedly land in Kansas City early Monday morning. There was no medical emergency, but instead plane issues forced the diversion.

This per Burt Lauten, the Steelers director of public relations:

Our team charter plane was unexpectedly diverted to Kansas City early this morning on our way back to Pittsburgh following our game in Las Vegas. Everyone on the plane is safe, and we are making necessary plans to arrive back in Pittsburgh later today.

— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) September 25, 2023

Adam Schefter of ESPN added some more context, stating the Steelers were awaiting another plane to get them back to Pittsburgh. The hope is it doesn’t change much of their in-season weekly schedule as they prepare for Week 4.

After their team plane was unexpectedly diverted to Kansas City early this morning, the Steelers remain on the same plane that left Las Vegas at roughly 11:30 pm PDT last night, waiting for another plane to get them back to Pittsburgh. Steelers were supposed to have landed in…

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 25, 2023

Of course, leave it to team captain Cam Heyward to make light of the situation, citing the reason for the plane having issues was due to the roughing the passer call on Minkah Fitzpatrick in the 4th quarter of the game Sunday night.

Dang emergency landing in KC.I think it’s due to @minkfitz_21 “roughing the passer call” but seriously landing KC……….

— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) September 25, 2023

With modern technology, it is likely the Steelers are utilizing this time to go over the game and handle some of the team meeting aspects which might be delayed with their travel issues. With Mike Tomlin not slated to meet with the media till Tuesday, it is unlikely this will alter the team’s weekly plans as they prepare for the Houston Texans on the road in Week 4.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they press on throughout the regular season.

UPDATE:

The Steelers new flight is taxiing for takeoff, according to FlightAware. They should be back in Pittsburgh by 1:30 ET.

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 25, 2023