Legendary Roster of Pittsburgh Steelers' All-Quarter Century Team: A constellation of potential Hall of Famers, current and prospective, forms this storied squad.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' All-Century Team of the 21st century is an extraordinary 53-man roster representing the best Steelers players since the millennium. Let's dive into the team, constructed with input from Jim Wexell, creator of Steel City Insider and a 30-year veteran on the Steelers beat.

This team isn't just about the Steelers' greatest players; it's designed to build the best possible 53-man squad comprising Steelers talents from over the past 25 seasons.

Quarterback (3)

Starter - Ben Roethlisberger
Reserves - Kordell Stewart, Aaron Rodgers

Since the Steelers often field three quarterbacks, it was a no-brainer to include three quarterbacks in our 53-man roster. Roethlisberger, understandably, is the starter; a two-time Super Bowl champion, Roethlisberger is the owner of nearly every Steelers passing record. Stewart's selection reflects his impressive performance in the 2001 season, which led the team to within a game of the Super Bowl, while Rodgers' potential is intriguing as he may help the Steelers host the 2025 AFC title game.

Running back (4)

Starter - Jerome Bettis
Reserves - Willie Parker, Le'Veon Bell, Dan Kreider (FB)

Bettis, the franchise's second all-time leading rusher, was a key player during the Steelers' 2005 Super Bowl run. Parker had a winning streak during his final two seasons, playing a crucial role in the team's two more recent Super Bowl victories. His 75-yard Super Bowl XL touchdown run stands as the longest in the game's history. Bell, despite not winning a Super Bowl, dominated the league with records for rushing yards in a single season (2,215 in 2014) and all-purpose yards (2,215 in 2014). Kreider played eight seasons in Pittsburgh and was a member of the 2005 Super Bowl team, outperforming Oregonian, Roosevelt Nix, a 2017 Pro Bowler.

Tight end (3)

Starter - Heath Miller
Reserves - Pat Freiermuth, Matt Spaeth

Regarded as the franchise's greatest tight end, Miller was voted the Steelers MVP in 2012 and is a consistent go-to receiver for Roethlisberger. Freiermuth might have a breakout year in 2025, given the recent acquisition of Rodgers. Spaeth is selected for his blocking prowess, mostly known for his support of Miller during the Steelers' 2005 Super Bowl win.

Wide receiver (6)

Starters - Hines Ward, Antonio Brown, Santonio Holmes
Reserves - Mike Wallace, DK Metcalf, Plaxico Burress

The Steelers boast a formidable collection of wide receivers over the past 25 years. Ward and Brown, both uniquely talented, led the team during pivotal moments. Ward, known for his blocking abilities, helped bring two Super Bowl titles to Pittsburgh. Brown amassed numerous records during his tenure, including four-highest single-season receiving yardage totals. Holmes' impact was immediate, leading the Steelers to their most recent Super Bowl win in 2008. Wallace, Burress, and Metcalf all proved to be deep threats, with Metcalf expected to follow in their footsteps.

Offensive line (9)

Starters - Marvel Smith (left tackle), Alan Faneca (left guard), Maurkice Pouncey (center), David DeCastro (right guard), Marcus Gilbert (right tackle)
Reserves - Troy Fautanu, Alejandro Villanueva, Jeff Hartings, Zach Frazier

Pittsburgh's offensive line includes both a current and future Hall of Famer in Faneca and Pouncey. Faneca's crushing block was instrumental in Parker's 75-yard Super Bowl XL touchdown run, while Pouncey, despite injury issues, was a nine-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and All-Decade Team member for the 2010s. DeCastro and Gilbert were perennial Pro Bowlers before injuries brought an untimely end to their careers. Villanueva's military service clearly demonstrated his dedication, along with his strong play on the field. Fautanu, Villanueva, Frazier, and Hartings show promise as future contributors.

Defensive line (7)

Starters - Aaron Smith (defensive end), Casey Hampton (nose tackle), Cameron Heyward (defensive tackle)
Reserves - Kimo von Oelhoffen, Stefon Tuitt, Brett Keisel, Chris Hoke (nose tackle/defensive tackle)

Smith and Hampton were recently inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor due to their consistent play on both run defense and pass rushing throughout their careers. Heyward has earned multiple Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognitions and has racked up 56.5 sacks, second only to T.J. Watt. Von Oelhoffen, Tuitt, and Keisel were key contributors during the Steelers' Super Bowl-winning era. Hoke's remarkable performance as a run-stuffer, contributing to a 17-1 regular-season record during his tenure, earned him respect as a valuable reserve.

Linebacker (9)

Starters - T.J. Watt (outside linebacker), James Farrior (inside linebacker), Ryan Shazier (inside linebacker), James Harrison (outside linebacker)
Reserves - Joey Porter, Larry Foote, Lawrence Timmons, LaMarr Woodley, Jason Gildon

The team's outside linebackers are unmatched, including multiple Defensive Player of the Year awardees like Watt and Harrison, as well as proven playoff performers. The inside linebackers, Farrior and Shazier, have been integral parts of multiple Super Bowl-winning teams. Porter, Woodley, and Gildon rounded out the roster with impressive contributions, totaling 194 sacks during their time with the Steelers.

Safety (4)

Starters - Troy Polamalu (strong safety), Minkah Fitzpatrick (free safety)
Reserves - Ryan Clark, Chris Hope

Polamalu and Fitzpatrick are renowned for their versatility and outstanding play. Polamalu is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame, making plays that seemed impossible, like leaping over the line to tackle a quarterback or catching a touchdown pass with one hand. Fitzpatrick carries on the legacy as a ball magnet and excellent tackler.

Cornerback (5)

Starter - Ike Taylor
Deshea Townsend, Joe Haden, Bryant McFadden, Joey Porter Jr.

Notable cornerbacks are chosen based on their contributions to multiple playoff runs during the Steelers' era of success. Taylor enjoyed standout moments, including a clutch interception in the Steelers' Super Bowl XL run. Haden, McFadden, and Porter Jr all showed promise as contributors. Experience and strong play are what sets these cornerbacks apart.

Special teams (3)

Chris Boswell (kicker), Cameron Johnston (punter), Greg Warren (long snapper)

Boswell, an exceptional kicker, needs no introduction: he holds numerous Steelers records for kicking accuracy and clutch kicks. Johnston's potential to make a significant impact in the black and gold is still being evaluated, but his sharp improvement during spring training hints at being a valuable asset. Warren, a 12-year veteran, will be remembered for his contributions as a long-time snapper for the team, critical to their many playoff runs.

Coach: Mike Tomlin

Debating between Tomlin and Cowher is always "fun," considering that both have won a Super Bowl and multiple division titles. However, Tomlin's consistent success throughout the 21st century, resulting in a record number of consecutive non-losing seasons, easy marks him as an excellent choice to lead the Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' All-Century Team of the 21st century, constructed with input from Jim Wexell, includes quarterbacks Ben Roethlisberger, Kordell Stewart, and Aaron Rodgers, showcasing a dominant game in American football.
Running back Jerome Bettis, a key player during the Steelers' 2005 Super Bowl run, is one of the three quarterbacks selected, alongside Willie Parker, Le'Veon Bell, and Dan Kreider (FB).
Antonio Brown, Mike Wallace, DK Metcalf, and Plaxico Burress are all recognized as part of the formidable collection of wide receivers, demonstrating the Steelers' dominant prowess in sports, specifically football within the NFL.
Fans might be intrigued by the potential of Pat Freiermuth, voted the Steelers MVP in 2025, as a breakout player, setting possible records in the game.
Defensive players like T.J. Watt, James Farrior, and Ryan Shazier have been instrumental in multiple Super Bowl-winning teams, highlighting the exceptional defense that earns the Steelers their historic wins.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick continues the legacy of excellence shown by Troy Polamalu in the defensive positions, demonstrating that this 53-man roster is no ordinary team.
Veteran coach Mike Tomlin, with a record number of consecutive non-losing seasons, further cements the Pittsburgh Steelers' All-Century Team as one of the most dominant in history, representing the best the NFL has to offer.