Devising An All-Steelers Offensive Team: A Look Through NFL History
With a franchise as historic and successful as the Pittsburgh Steelers, devising an All-Time Team is no easy task. Throughout the years, the Steelers have had numerous Hall of Famers, and some guys are still waiting to get in. An All-Time Steelers Offense would be a dangerous bunch. So many legends, no matter which way you want to go. Past or present, both have superstars that will live on forever in Canton.
QB - Ben Roethlisberger (2004-2021)
While Terry Bradshaw is a legend, he found himself in less of a passing era than Ben Roethlisberger. If we’re building a team to compete in this generation, Big Ben is the pick. The Steelers Franchise Leader in all major passing categories including his 64,088 passing yards and 418 touchdowns on a 64% completion rate. Despite attempting 4,542 more passes than Bradshaw, Big Ben only has only one more career interception.
RB1 - Le’Veon Bell (2013-2018)
This one could be heavily argued. Many would say the late, great Franco Harris who is a Hall of Famer, to fit in with this offense we injected some juice with Le’Veon Bell. A superior pass-catching back, Bell fits better in today’s NFL, as Franco would be in danger of being a fullback in this new evolution of the game. This can’t go without saying Franco is the best Steelers Running Back of all time and deserves his flowers.
Bell’s run with the Steelers was on pace to end in Canton right next to Franco before all the contract dispute stuff lead to his departure. Bell sits fourth all-time among the Steelers Rushing Yard Leaders with 5,336 yards and third in rushing touchdowns with 35. Where Bell trumped all the other greats is Rushing Yards per Game. He tops the Steelers All Time list with 86.1 yards.
RB2 - Jerome Bettis (1996-2005)
Since we already have our speedy combo back in Lev Bell, Now we need a power back. That’s where the Bus comes in. Second all-time in rushing yards with 10,571 and rushing touchdowns with 78, Jerome Bettis found great success when he got to Pittsburgh in 1996. Bettis comes in right behind Bell in Steelers leaders in Rushing Yards per Game with 72.9 and was one of the elite “I need one-yard” backs in NFL History.
WR1 - Antonio Brown (2010-2018)
Although things didn’t end on good terms anywhere he’s been, it’s impossible to deny that Antonio Brown had a legendary run as a Pittsburgh Steeler. Arguably the best receiver of his generation that included guys like Julio Jones and Calvin Johnson, AB was one of a kind.
Especially when Big Ben is our quarterback and Lev Bell at RB1, AB was essential to this team. We’re getting the Killer B’s back together. AB sits second on the Steelers All-Time List for Receiving Yards with 11.207 and Receiving Touchdowns with 74. If you can somehow separate the art from the artist, Brown certainly has a case to be in the Hall of Fame.
WR2 - Hines Ward (1998-2011)
An all-time fan favorite and Steeler great, Hines Ward was a part of two Super Bowl Championships in Pittsburgh, most notably being on the receiving end of an Antwaan Randle-El pass to seal Super Bowl 40. Ward is a legend in the Burgh. His 12,083 Receiving Yards and 85 Receiving Touchdowns plant him at the top of the Steelers All-Time Leaders.
WR3 - Santonio Holmes (2006-2009)
Another one that will be heavily argued. While we could have and maybe should have gone with guys like Lynn Swann or John Stallworth, the drive that won Super Bowl 43 was enough to land Santonio Holmes on this team. Holmes also fits the current-day scheme this offense is panning out to be.
His stay in Pittsburgh may have been short, but that one drive will live on in NFL History forever. Big Ben and Holmes set up the legendary toe tap catch with a connection for 40 yards to get into scoring position just two plays before. A drive for the ages.
TE - Heath Miller (2005-2015)
Another one of Big Ben’s favorite targets. A name that the fans in Pittsburgh will still chant when Pat Freiermuth hauls in a pass, Heath Miller’s ability to be a young Big Ben’s security blanket was unmatched. The sure-handed tight end finished with 6,569 Receiving Yards, good enough to be fourth on the Steelers All-Time list. To go with it, Heath grabbed 45 touchdowns in the Burgh, good enough for fifth on the Steelers All-Time List.
Offensive Line - Steelers 2014
To round off this offense, picking lineman is not easy, so ultimately the offensive line that lifted Leveon Bell to his best offensive season gets the nod on this team. A starting unit comprised of Kelvin Beachum, David DeCastro, Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster, and Marcus Gilbert. Big Ben gets his guy at center in Pouncey, and Bell gets all his bodyguards.
This offense takes a modern approach. Sure, there are plenty of guys who could’ve made this squad and still be ultra-lethal. Just for fit, these were the guys chosen. Can you build a better team? Try it out.