The 5 Best Steelers Players of All-Time

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, we all knew that last season was going to be one of transition with the big changes that had taken place both on and off the field. That doesn’t make the campaign any less drab though – and a Steelers insider isn’t any more optimistic for the next season either. Here we try and put that disappointment behind us with a stroll down memory lane as we look at some of the best Steelers players of all-time.

Who are the best Steelers players of all-time?

Rod Woodson

Rod Woodson might have gone on to earn the biggest prize in football after his time with the Steelers, but the groundworks for his career were laid in Pittsburgh; that’s for sure. All in all, he spent 10 years with the Steelers with nearly all his career high stats coming in that period of his career.

Whilst with the Steelers, Woodson was named Defensive Player of the Year, made seven Pro Bowls and was named in the NFL First Team All-Pro no fewer than five times. With several records also to his name – including most fumble recoveries – it is clear to see that Woodson was a top player.

The only negative where he is concerned is that his Super Bowl success came after leaving the Steelers. We’d loved to have seen him achieve that feat in Pittsburgh.

Ben Roethlisberger

Ben Roethlisberger didn’t waste any time announcing himself on the elite scene after being picked up by the Steelers in round one of the 2004 draft. His debut campaign saw him star 13 games for a Steelers side that won all 13 matches. It was a season that saw Roethlisberger awarded the Rookie of the Year award whilst the 13-0 record remains a rookie record in the NFL.

It would prove to be just the start of a glittering Steelers career. Within five seasons, Roethlisberger had tossed his side to two Super Bowl triumphs. By the time the Miami (OH) graduate retired in 2022 he had thrown 64,088 passing yards; only four players in history have thrown more. This, however, didn’t translate into the player’s reputation. Around 2008, Roethlisberger was involved in a scandal, which had to do with his visit at Harrah’s Lake Tahoe, where he indulged in online slots and other thrilling casino games. The casino hostess reported him for harassment, pressing claims against the Steelers quarterback and damaging his public image. 

In addition to that, Roethlisberger also called time on his career with six Pro Bowl appearances and a couple of unique records to his name including four 500 yard plus passing games. Nobody else can match that.

Troy Polamalu

Next up we have Troy Polamalu. The safety arrived in Pittsburgh as the 16th pick in the 2003 draft before going to become one of the most dominant safeties the game – and certainly the Steelers – have ever seen. 

Polamalu was a key figure in the side that won Super Bowls XL and XLIII and earned a total of eight Pro Bowl nods in his careers – five of which came in consecutive seasons between 2004 and 2008 to showcase the consistency in his game. 

With a Defensive Player of the Year honor also to his name, along with 783 career tackles, it is fair to say that Polamalu has plenty of memories to recount to those around him. The league will never forget him either. 

Joe Greene

You will find plenty of people who consider Joe Greene as the G.O.A.T where the Steelers are concerned. For us though, he is at second place, but that does make him the best defensive player in Steelers history, which is no mean feat in itself.

Greene joined the Steelers in 1969 from North Texas State and remained with the franchise until his retirement in 1981. During that 13 year stint, he was a key component of the team that won four Super Bowls and, on a personal level, dominated the league earning two Defensive Player of the Year awards. He was also awarded the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in his debut season.

With a style of play built on a will to win, Greene built up a reputation of a player not to be messed with, hence the nickname “Mean Joe Greene,” but the NFL Man of the Year award in 1979 showed that ferocity was kept for the football field.

Terry Bradshaw

We bring our list of the best Steelers players of all-time to an end with Terry Bradshaw, who we believe to be the cream of the crop. It’s hard to compare players across different eras of the game, but if you are doing so, then Bradshaw is right up there with the greatest to ever play.

The 1970 round one pick spent his entire career in Pittsburgh racking up four Super Bowl wins with two of those triumphs seeing Bradshaw named game MVP. Beyond that, Bradshaw was named league MVP in 1978 and tossed more passing touchdowns than anyone else in two seasons (1978 and 1982).

When he called time on his career, he did so with a couple of Super Bowl records to his name. Both his passing yards and touchdown hauls have since been broken, but the fact they existed in the first place ensures his spot in history is assured. 

There you have it, the best Steelers players of all time.