Steelers All-Time 53 Man Roster

The history of the NFL has always fascinated me, so what better way to spend Mount Rushmore Season™ than with a series of articles documenting (my take on) each NFL team’s all-time 53 man roster. Since the Steelers are my favorite, I’m starting with them. We’ll see how far I take this series, as it’s going to be a lot of work to do the research on the history of all 32 teams. Ideally, I would like to put all 32 teams into a single-elimination tournament to give my take on which franchise has the greatest all-time team. We’ll see if I ever get close to that.

I don’t have any strict criteria, other than my own superior intellect of course. At the end of the day, there is no objective way of comparing players from completely different eras. If you just look at the stats out of context, Zach Wilson is a better QB than Joe Namath. This of course doesn’t take into account the difference in rules, schematics, and even just how much the players actually cared. Obviously at the same time, stats can’t just be completely discounted. In my opinion, the best way to compile a team like this is to make subjective comparisons of each player against guys from their era, then put their dominance (or lack thereof) into the perspective of the entire history of the league. Here’s an example to illustrate what I mean: many experts consider Dan Marino’s 1984 season the greatest season by a QB in NFL history. The difference between him and his peers that season was greater than the distance between any other QB and their peers in NFL history. So while Peyton Manning’s 2013 season is statistically better than Marino’s in just about every way, there were other QB’s that season closer to his level of production than anyone else was to Marino’s in 1984. Careers can be compared the same way: Tony Romo had way better numbers than both Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, but few serious fans would therefore call Romo the greatest QB in Cowboys history.

The page I found most helpful in coming up with this team was this list of every Pro Bowler and 1st Team All Pro in Steeler’s history. This is as good a list as any to rank the impact of the players throughout Steelers history! I came in with a pretty good understanding of who would be on this list, but there were still a few surprises along the way. Finally, I only counted what each player did as a member of the Steelers. So, while Michael Vick would’ve been a fun addition to this team, he clearly doesn’t deserve a spot based solely on his time in Pittsburgh.

Quarterback (3)

Starter: Terry Bradshaw (1970–1983)
Backups: Ben Roethlisberger (2004–2021), Bobby Layne (1958–1962)

This is the toughest choice on the entire list, and I went back and between Ben and Bradshaw. Ben has the better stats, but he played in a more passer-friendly era. Bradshaw has more championships, but “Rings” are not exclusively a QB stat. What put Bradshaw over the top for me was his league MVP in 1978, an award Ben never came close to winning. Bradshaw had a stretch in the late 70’s where he was arguably the League’s best QB. And while Big Ben was better for longer, there was never really a point during his career where he felt like the best passer in the NFL. Ultimately, I don’t think either choice is incorrect, and picking which first-ballot Hall-of-Famer to start is a good problem to have. While the gap between Ben and Bradshaw is razor thin, the gap between the 2nd and 3rd QB is massive. There were a bunch of guys I considered for this spot, including Kordell Stewart, Neil O’Donnell, and nobody (do you really need a 3rd string QB?). Ultimately, I settled on Layne, a Hall-of-Fame QB for the Detroit Lions in the 1950’s who spent the twilight of his career in Pittsburgh. Layne finished 3rd in MVP voting his first two years with the team, leading them to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time ever (a subtle reminder of how terrible the Steelers were before the 70s). Even though his career with the Lions was not considered here, he did enough during his Steelers tenure to deserve recognition.

Running Backs (5)

Starters: Franco Harris (1972–1983), Jerome Bettis (1996–2005)
Backups: John Henry Johnson (1960–1965), Barry Foster (1990–1994), Le’Veon Bell (2013–2017)

I thought it appropriate to start two RBs on a team known for smash-mouth football. Both Bettis and Harris are Hall of Famers, and guys who were faces of the franchise. Although Bettis has more career rushing yards than Harris, Harris is actually the Steelers all-time leading rusher, as Bettis spent the first few years of his career with the Rams. But both of these players are Steelers legends, and sitting either felt wrong. Once again, the gap between the top 2 and the rest is pretty large. Johnson deserves recognition as the only other Hall of Famer on this list, though only about half of his career was with Pittsburgh. Foster also deserves recognition as the man who still holds the Steelers single-season rushing record, with 1690 yards in 1992. Injuries cut an otherwise promising career short. Bell (the #4 leading rusher in franchise history) edges out Willie Parker (#3) for the last spot in this group. A case can be made for either player, but Bell’s peak was higher than Parker’s, with First-Team all-pro selections in 2014 and 2017, something Parker never achieved. Bell is also the best pass-catching RB in team history, and would be a valuable 3rd-down back for this squad.

Wide Receivers (6)

Starters: Antonio Brown (2010–2018), Hines Ward (1998–2011)
Backups: John Stallworth (1974–1987), Lynn Swann (1974–1982), Louis Lipps (1984–1991), Santonio Holmes (2006–2009)

This was the easiest group to pick. The first 5 guys on here are pretty clearly the 5 greatest receivers in Steelers history, and any of the the top 4 have arguments for starting. Swann was the easiest of the 4 to bench: despite being a Hall of Famer, his stats don’t stack up with the other 3. I went back and forth between Ward and Stallworth, but Ward is the Steelers all-time leader in every receiving category and has a trump-card that Stallworth doesn’t: his Super Bowl 40 MVP. But (TRIGGER WARNING) the best of this group is Brown, and by a pretty sizable margin. Before catching radioactive CTE, the man was on pace to be in the same conversation as Jerry Rice. He made 4 All-Pros, more than every other receiver in team history combined. You certainly don’t have to like him as a person, but no one on this squad played the position better than him.

Lipps is sometimes forgotten about in the team’s lost era of the 1980s, but he actually has more catches and receiving yards than Swann. He’s the 5th best WR in team history. I added Holmes for his return ability, plus his legendary playoff performance in 2008. This was capped off by his Super Bowl 43 MVP, which included one of the most memorable catches in the history of football.

Tight End (3)

Starter: Heath Miller (2005–2015)
Backups: Elbie Nickel (1947–1957), Bennie Cunningham (1976–1985)

This is one of this squad’s weaker position groups, and I actually considered starting a 3rd WR (Stallworth) over any of these TE’s. But again, this is a team with a smashmouth identity, which made Miller a fan-favorite during his time in Pittsburgh. He’s the 4th leading receiver in team history and (arguably more importantly) was a tremendous blocker. So, while he’s not going to be a Hall-of-Famer like Stallworth or Swann, he’d be far better than either at opening lanes for The Bus and Franco. Nickel is the Steelers 7th All-Time leading receiver (behind Miller and the top 5 WRs), which is super impressive for a guy who played in the 40s and 50s. He’s actually closer to Miller than you might think, and gives this team flexibility to run plenty of 2 TE sets. Cunningham was the Steelers TE during the tail end of their dynasty in the 70s, and is the franchise’s 3rd leading TE in catches and receiving yards.

Offensive Line (9)

Starters: Mike Webster (C, 1974–1988), Dermontti Dawson (C/G, 1988–2000), Alan Faneca (G, 1998–2007), Frank Varrichione (T, 1955–1960), Tunch Ilkin (T, 1980–1992)
Backups: Maurkice Pouncey (C, 2010–2020), David DeCastro (G, 2012–2020), Jon Kolb (T, 1969–1981), Jeff Hartings (C, 2001–2006)

I cheated just a tad here. Technically, Dawson was a Center during his entire NFL career, but I wasn’t going to make the 2nd greatest lineman in team history a backup. I’m sure he’d be able to transition to guard without any issues. Mike Webster deserves that starting spot, as he is arguably the greatest Center in NFL history. Faneca is yet another Hall-of-Famer along the interior of the offensive line.

Things get interesting after this, since Pittsburgh has never really had an elite offensive tackle during their entire history as a franchise. Pouncey is probably the 4th greatest lineman in Steelers history, but it was too much of a stretch for me to move a center all the way over to tackle. Varrichione is probably not a household name among Steelers fans today, but he went to 4 Pro Bowls during his 6 years with the team. He’s the best offensive tackle in team history. The late Tunch Ilkin is more fondly remembered in Pittsburgh as a legendary radio announcer, but he wasn’t a bad player either, making back-to-back Pro Bowls in 1988–89. That’s enough to give him the starting nod at a lack-luster position group. As for the other reserves, I went with Decastro (who was a 2-time All Pro in the mid 2010's), Kolb (the starting left tackle on 4 Super Bowl winning teams), and Hartings (another center who, despite only spending 6 years with the team, went to 2 Pro Bowls and was an All-Pro in 2004).

Defensive Line (8)

Starters: Joe Greene (T, 1969–1981), Ernie Stautner (T, 1950–1963), LC Greenwood (E, 1969–1981), Cam Heyward (E, 2011-present)
Backups: Ernie Holmes (T, 1972–1977), Dwight White (E, 1971–1980), Casey Hampton (NT, 2001–2012), Kevin Greene (DE/OLB, 1993–1995)

We finally come to the defense, and no franchise can boast more star power on this side of the ball. All 3 levels of this squad are elite and stacked with Hall of Famers. This team could easily run either a 4–3 or 3–4 base defense. I like to think they could switch off between both. Joe Greene is arguably the greatest defensive tackle ever (he was considered the consensus #1 until Aaron Donald came along). His first overall selection in 1969 is considered the first step in building the Steelers 1970’s Dynasty. Stautner is the greatest pre-Super Bowl Era player in team history, and the first Hall-of-Famer to spend his entire career with the Steelers. Both his and Greene’s number are retired by the franchise. Greenwood is currently one of the Hall’s biggest snubs. The 6-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All Pro was the 2nd greatest member of the Steelers legendary “Steel Curtain”.¹ I added the remaining two members, Ernie Holmes and Dwight White, as reserves. The final starter is Heyward, the reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year and a 3-time All Pro. He may also be destined for the Hall of Fame someday. My other reserves are Hampton (arguably the best run-stuffing nose tackle of his era), and Hall-of-Famer Kevin Greene (who was technically a 3–4 outside linebacker during his 3-year Steelers tenure, but was a 4–3 end at other times during his career). He could play either position on this squad.

Linebackers (8)

Starters: Jack Lambert (MLB, 1974–1984), Jack Ham (OLB, 1971–1982), TJ Watt (OLB, 2017-Present)
Backups: James Harrison (OLB, 2002–2012, 2014–2017), Greg Lloyd (OLB, 1988–1997), Andy Russell (LB, 1963–1976), Dale Dodrill (LB, 1951–1959), Levon Kirkland (MLB, 1992–2000)

This might be my hottest take on the whole list: if TJ Watt stays healthy, he’ll be the greatest linebacker in Steelers history. Yes, the Jacks are both Hall of Famers and two of the greatest to ever do it, but TJ is on another level. In fact, he’s on track to be in the argument with Joe Greene as the greatest Steelers defensive player ever, period. He’s already won one DPOY, and probably should have had 2 more under his belt. Lambert also won DPOY in 1976, and Ham was an All-Pro 6 years in a row from 1974–1979. This is as good of a starting 3 as it gets. Harrison was my 3rd starter until Watt recently overtook him. His peak was short, but it included DPOY in 2008 and one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history. He might not be destined for the Hall like the 3, but he is a Steelers legend nonetheless.

Lloyd and Kirkland were two of the best linebackers in the league during the 1990’s and were the leaders of some great defenses. Had they played with a Hall of Fame QB, they might have won a Super Bowl and been remembered in the same way as the guys above them. Andy Russell was perhaps the greatest Steeler of the 1960s, and started on the franchise’s first two Super Bowl teams. Dodrill was one of the few players I didn’t know before compiling this list, but he made 4 Pro Bowls in the 50s and was an All-Pro in 1954. This is an absolutely stacked position group, and guys like Jason Gildon, Joey Porter, and James Farrior (who would start for some other franchises’ All-Time teams) didn’t even make the cut.

Secondary (8)

Starters: Mel Blount (CB, 1970–1983), Rod Woodson (CB, 1987–1996), Troy Polamalu (S, 2003–2014), Jack Butler (S/CB, 1951–1959)
Backups: Donnie Shell (S, 1974–1987), Minkah Fitzpatrick (S, 2019-present), Carnell Lake (CB/S, 1989–1998), Mike Wagner (S, 1971–1980)

Despite the embarrassment of riches at LB, secondary might actually be the best position group on this team. Five of these guys were Hall-of-Famers, so needs to come off the bench! Blount was so dominant they named a rule after him. He’s the Steelers all-time leader in INTs and was DPOY in 1975. Woodson was the greatest Steeler of the 90s and has an argument to be considered the greatest CB of all time. Although he didn’t spend his entire career in Pittsburgh, this is where he played the bulk of his prime, including his 1993 DPOY. Polamalu is the third DPOY in this group, winning the honor in 2010. He was arguably the greatest Strong Safety in the history of the league, and might have the most impressive highlight reel of any defensive player ever. The last starting spot was a toss-up. I initially had Hall-of-Famer Donnie Shell starting alongside Polamalu, and he’s certainly deserving, winning 4 Super Bowls and being named a First-Team All-Pro 3 times. But when I looked at fellow Hall-of-Famer Jack Butler’s stats, I was blown away. Butler and Shell have similar career INT numbers (52 and 51, respectively), but Butler accomplished this in nearly 100 fewer games! And he might have won a DPOY himself in 1957 had the award existed (it wasn’t given out until 1971). That season, he led the league with 10 INTs. A horrific injury cut his career short in 1959 or he would easily be the team’s all-time leader too. Butler played both corner and safety during his 9 year career, allowing this squad to put 5 HOF’s on the field in their nickel package.

As for the other 3: Fitzpatrick is still just 27, but it’s not difficult to envision him joining the first 5 in the Hall of Fame someday. He already has 3 First-Team All-Pro selections in his first 5 years with the team. Lake was Woodson’s teammate in the 90’s and made 4 Pro Bowls in a row with the team from 1994–1997. Mike Wagner rounds out an unbelievably stacked defense as the safety who started next to Shell in the 70s. He made back-to-back Pro Bowls in 1975–76.

Special Teams (3)

Kicker: Gary Anderson (1982–1994)
Punter: Bobby Walden (1968–1977)
Utility: Jerry Shipkey (1948–1952)
Kick Returner: Rod Woodson
Punt Returner: Santonio Holmes

Anderson is the Steelers all-time leading scorer and the 3rd leading scorer in NFL history. Though he only spent about half of his career with Pittsburgh, he’s the best kicker in team history. Walden spent 10 years with the Steelers and won 2 Super Bowls (yes, Super Bowls are primarily a Punter stat). He’s widely considered the best punter in team history by people who care about such things. Finally, I had to include Shipkey somewhere on this team. He’s another guy I didn’t know about before researching for this article, but he was too fun to leave off. Shipkey did a little bit of everything for the Steelers in the late 40s and early 50s, playing fullback, defensive back, and linebacker. He was an All-Pro 2 seasons in a row in 1951–52. I thought his versatility would make him the perfect Special Teams ace for this team. As for the returners, Woodson is the team’s all-time leader in kick return yards, while Holmes had a punt return TD as part of his legendary 2008 playoff run.

Coach: Chuck Noll (1969–1991)

Noll is the winningest coach in Steelers history and set the standard for all that came after him. He was hired by a perennial loser and turned them into one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history, winning 4 Super Bowls in 6 seasons from 1974–1979. Tomlin will pass Noll in wins within the next couple seasons, but has a long way to go before passing him as the greatest coach in team history. The standard may be the standard, but for now that standard is Chuck Noll.

Footnotes

1: Contrary to popular belief, the “Steel Curtain” didn’t initially refer to the entire Steelers defense, but to their devastating front 4 of Greene, Greenwood, Ernie Holmes, and Dwight White.