Hey everyone, I wanted to share my little project on ranking the best linebackers in Pittsburgh Steelers history. It’s a topic that always sparks some heated debates among fans, and I figured, why not dive into it myself? So, I started digging.
First, I spent hours combing through old game footage and reading up on the Steelers’ legendary linebackers. It was like taking a trip down memory lane. I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anyone, so I made a list of all the notable linebackers who’ve ever donned the black and gold.
Then came the hard part—ranking them. Man, it wasn’t easy. I mean, how do you compare Jack Lambert, the “Jack Splat” himself, with someone like James Harrison, who was a beast in his own right? I decided to look at stats, Pro Bowl selections, All-Pro nods, and of course, their impact on the team’s success.
I went back and forth on the order a bunch of times. I even had to think about current players and the potential of Devin Bush, who the Steelers picked 10th overall in the 2019 draft. He could be amazing, or not, it’s still early days for him. One thing that came up was the comparison between Jack Lambert and Jack Ham. Lambert had one more Pro Bowl selection, but they both had eight All-Pro nominations and were named to the NFL’s 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Teams. Plus, Lambert was rookie of the year!
I also noticed the Steelers are stacking up on offensive linemen for the 2024 season, with nine already locked in. Names like Troy Fautanu, Broderick Jones, and Isaac Seumalo were no-brainers.
After all the research and internal debates, I finally settled on a ranking that I felt good about. I know not everyone will agree, and that’s fine. It’s all part of the fun, right?
- Jack Lambert – It is the popular choice. Nine Pro Bowls, eight All-Pro selections, and that unforgettable snarl.
- Jack Ham – Eight Pro Bowls, eight All-Pro selections, and a reputation for being one of the smartest to ever play the position.
- James Harrison – Five Pro Bowls, four All-Pro selections, and a Super Bowl-winning interception return that still gives me goosebumps.
This whole process was a blast. It made me appreciate the rich history of the Steelers and the incredible talent that’s graced their roster over the years. Feel free to let me know your thoughts—I’m always up for a good football debate!
