One of the sillier things that fans of the Pittsburgh Steelers and 31 other NFL fanbases pay attention to are the jersey numbers of their favorite players. Throughout the offseason and especially after the NFL Draft, the faithful shop all over the place in order to purchase new game day attire. Aside from fashion though, sometimes the newest jersey numbers announced could be bad news for players themselves. Current free agents who had a home in 2022 may see their former numbers taken which usually leads to the ultimate reality.
Steelers former fullback, Derek Watt (#44) stands in the end zone during warmups prior to a 2021 regular season matchup. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (@JSKO_PHOTO Twitter)
For Pittsburgh, it all started with fullback, Derek Watt seeing his #44 taken by incoming special teams ace, Tanner Muse. Call it a coincidence or by design, but Muse is expected to take on the most special teams duties on the team in 2023, similar to how Watt's role played out during the majority of 2022.
There are another four players who contributed to the team's 9-8 effort in 2022 that just had their former numbers get scooped up by members of the rookie class. Another special teamer isn't likely to return, and with the Steelers' most popular draft pick taking his number, the writing may be on the wall for Benny Snell Jr.
Steelers Rookies Take Prime Numbers Available
Rookie cornerback, Joey Porter Jr. will wear #24 according to the team's official roster. He will look to have an immediate impact and play as consistently as someone he watched growing up who wore the same number: Ike Taylor. It's hard to imagine Taylor wasn't one of the biggest advocates for Porter Jr. as the former Super Bowl Champion is in the team's scouting department.
Steelers former cornerback and now scouting staff member, Ike Taylor. | Photo Credit: George Gojkovich / Getty Images
Another important special teams player in Marcus Allen wore #27 all five seasons that he spent in Pittsburgh. That didn't stop the team from allowing cornerback, Cory Trice Jr. to take the number. Many believed Allen could return in 2023, but it now appears as though that is unlikely.
Two more players who played for the Steelers defense in 2022 may have also lost all hope of a return to the Steel City being on the table. Newest defensive lineman, Keeanu Benton will wear #95 for his rookie season. He takes the number from 29-year old, Chris Wormely who played in Pittsburgh for three seasons.
One of the enigmas of the Steelers' draft class is linebacker, Nick Herbig. Everyone knows the guy can flat out play and get to the quarterback, but his future position may be up in the air. Although he may start on the outside providing depth behind TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith, he very well could move to the inside at some point.
Former Wisconsin and now-Steelers linebacker, Nick Herbig. | Photo Credit: AP Photo / Andy Manis
Herbig will come in and wear #51. It may have made sense to bring back linebacker, Myles Jack in a backup role, but if that is still on the table, he will have to come to terms with a new number. His one year in Pittsburgh was short-lived and underwhelming. Steelers fans are hoping to see the #51 flying around the field and making more significant plays in 2023.
This, of course, is all speculation. Any number of these former players could return and face the reality of wearing a new number, but after the organization offered up their 2022 numbers, it's quite possible none of them return to wear the black and gold in 2023.
Do you think Watt, Snell Jr., Wormley, Jack and Allen are all out for 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
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