On the eve of the Pittsburgh Steelers reporting for training camp, we’ve reached the final iteration of our Top 30 Greatest Steelers countdown, concluding with the top 10 players in franchise history. From two quarterbacks who combined to win six Super Bowls, to the Hall of Famers that made the Steel Curtain the most vaunted defense in NFL history, here are the 10 greatest Steelers of all time, as voted on by our panel.
Meet the panel
- Jarrett Bailey, SB Nation
- Chris Carter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
- Don Chedrick, 93.7 The Fan
- Dave Dameshek, Meadowlark Media
- Todd Haley, Former Steelers Offensive Coordinator
- Tommy Jaggi, FanSided
- Alan Saunders, Steelers Now
- Joe Starkey, 93.7 The Fan
10. Mike Webster
Career accolades
- 9-time Pro Bowler
- 6-time All-Pro
- 5-time First-Team All-Pro
- 4-time Super Bowl champion
- 1970s All-Decade Team
- 1980s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1997)
Player tribute
If you asked 100 people who the greatest center in NFL history is, Mike Webster
would be the overwhelming consensus answer. His longevity would be considered rare in today’s game, totaling 17 seasons from 1974-90. He was the anchor of the Steelers’ offensive line that won four Super Bowls and was the final piece of those Super Bowl teams to leave the franchise. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997. – Jarrett Bailey
9. Franco Harris
Career stats
- Rushing yards: 12,120
- Rushing touchdowns: 91
- Yards per attempt: 4.1
- Receptions: 307
- Receiving yards: 2,287
- Receiving touchdowns: 9
Career accolades
- 9-time Pro Bowler
- 3-time All-Pro
- 4-time Super Bowl champion
- Super Bowl IX MVP
- 1977 First-Team All-Pro
- 1972 Offensive Rookie of the Year
- 1970s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1990)
Player tribute
IF it wasn’t for Franco, the dynasty of the 1970s very likely doesn’t happen – at least not to the extent of four Super Bowls. The Immaculate Reception is the exact moment Pittsburgh went from historic pushover to perennial threats. Two seasons after perhaps the most iconic play in NFL history, the Steelers were raising their first Lombardi Trophy off the strength of Harris’ MVP performance. At the time of his retirement, only Jim Brown had more rushing touchdowns. The Steelers retired his No. 32 jersey in 2022, becoming just the third player in franchise history to earn that honor. – Jarrett Bailey
8. Ben Roethlisberger
Career stats
- Passing yards: 64,088
- Passing touchdowns: 418
- Passer rating: 93.5
- 4th-quarter comebacks: 41
- Game-winning drives: 53
Career accolades
- 6-time Pro Bowler
- 2-time passing yards leader
- 2-time Super Bowl champion
- 2004 Offensive Rookie of the Year
Player tribute
Ben was arguably the most naturally gifted thrower I have ever coached. Arm strength, touch, accuracy, and ability to adjust mid-throw. Great feel within the pocket, tremendous size, excellent athlete. He legitimately could have played multiple sports professionally. The bottom line is if Ben was your quarterback, you had a chance to win every Sunday regardless of who was on the other side. Hall of Fame player without a doubt. – Todd Haley
7. Jack Ham
Career accolades
- 8-time Pro Bowler
- 6-time All-Pro (All First-Team selections)
- 4-time Super Bowl champion
- 1970s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1988)
Player tribute
Perhaps the most underrated player in Steelers history, Ham always made an impact, whether it be an interception, forced fumble, fumble recovery, blocked kick, or all of the above. He may not have put the fear of God into opponents like others we will see on the list, but he is perhaps the best all-around linebacker of all time. – Don Chedrick
6. Terry Bradshaw
Career stats
- Passing yards: 27,989
- Passing touchdowns: 212
- Passer rating: 70.9
- 4th-quarter comebacks: 15
- Game-winning drives: 23
Career accolades
- 3-time Pro Bowler
- 1978 All-Pro
- 1978 NFL MVP
- 4-time Super Bowl champion
- 2-time Super Bowl MVP
- 1970s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1989)
Player tribute
Many mocked the intelligence of Bradshaw throughout his playing career and beyond, but he was smart enough to pick defenses apart to the tune of four Super Bowls, two of which he was the game’s MVP. Yes, he threw nearly as many interceptions as touchdowns – so did every other quarterback of that era. He also led the NFL in touchdown passes twice and was the league’s MVP in 1978. Beyond his playing days, he continued to be a big part of our Sundays as part of the Fox NFL Sunday crew, becoming one of the best and most entertaining players-turned broadcasters of all time. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. – Jarrett Bailey
5. Rod Woodson
Career stats
- Tackles: 1,158
- Interceptions: 71
- Forced fumbles: 18
- 4 kick return touchdowns (2 punts, 2 kickoffs)
Career accolades
- 11-time Pro Bowler
- 7-time All-Pro
- 6-time First-Team All-Pro
- 1993 Defensive Player of the Year
- Super Bowl champion
- All-time leader in pick-sixes (12)
- 1990s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2009)
Player tribute
While Woodson’s Steelers didn’t win a ring in Pittsburgh, he helped usher in the era of dominant Steelers defenses of the 1990s. He was one of the game’s top players immediately, earning First-Team All-Pro honors as a rookie in 1989, and was the heartbeat of Pittsburgh during his 10 seasons with the franchise. He is the NFL’s all-time leader in pick-sixes, and his 71 interceptions ranks third all-time. – Jarrett Bailey
4. Mel Blount
Career accolades
- 5-time Pro Bowler
- 4-time All-Pro
- 2-time First-Team All-Pro
- 4-time Super Bowl champion
- 1975 Defensive Player of the Year
- 1980s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1989)
Player tribute
Whenever the NFL changes the rules because of you, you were probably a good player. The league instituted the five-yard rule when it came to contact between receivers and defensive backs because of Blount’s tenacity at the line of scrimmage. Even after the rule was put in place, Blount made three All-Pro teams and helped the Steelers win two additional Super Bowls. His 57 interceptions rank 11th all-time, and he is one of the five best cornerbacks to ever play the game. – Jarrett Bailey
3. Jack Lambert
Career accolades
- 9-time Pro Bowler
- 7-time All-Pro
- 6-time First-Team All-Pro
- 4-time Super Bowl champion
- 1976 Defensive Player of the Year
- 1974 Defensive Rookie of the Year
- 1970s All-Decade Team
- 1980s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1990)
Player tribute
Lambert was the face of the Steelers throughout the 1970s – literally. The snarl and missing teeth created the picture perfect Steelers linebacker. His play backed up his looks, as few players in history hit as hard or had as much of a mean streak as No. 58. – Don Chedrick
2. Troy Polamalu
Career stats
- Tackles: 783
- Tackles for loss: 56
- Interceptions: 32
- Forced fumbles: 14
Career accolades
- 8-time Pro Bowler
- 6-time All-Pro
- 4-time First-Team All-Pro
- 2-time Super Bowl champion
- 2010 Defensive Player of the Year
- 2000s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (2020)
Player tribute
There is no player in NFL history like Troy Polamalu. His ball hawk ability, closing speed, play recognition, and calculated recklessness set him apart from all of his peers. Polamalu wasn’t just a safety, he was a football player. Diving over the line of scrimmage after timing snap counts just right, making the most unbelievable of interceptions while laying out for the ball, and delivering some of the hardest hits of the 2000s made Polamalu the most feared defensive back of his era. He is a true one-of-one player, which is so incredibly rare when it comes to professional sports. – Jarrett Bailey
1. Joe Greene
Career accolades
- 10-time Pro Bowler
- 6-time All-Pro
- 4-time First-Team All-Pro
- 4-time Super Bowl champion
- 1969 Defensive Rookie of the Year
- 2-time Defensive Player of the Year
- 1970s All-Decade Team
- Pro Football Hall of Fame (1987)
Player tribute
When you think of the Steelers, Mean Joe Greene is the first name that comes to mind. Without the player many consider to be the greatest defensive lineman of all time, there is no Steel Curtain, which means there is no Super Bowls. He is the beginning and end to the teams of the 1970s, and thus the Steelers organization as a whole. Without a doubt the most important player in franchise history. – Jarrett Bailey
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
- Will Howard in ‘pole position’ for Steelers backup QB job
- Patriots’ Christian Gonzalez could make Joey Porter Jr. contract harder for Steelers
- Steelers ranked in bottom five of NFL in young talent
- Steelers sign QB Drew Allar to rookie contract
- Former Steelers tight end works out for Seattle Seahawks
