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Pittsburgh Steelers: Top 10 linebackers in franchise history

By Samuel Teets

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan reacts after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - APRIL 25: Devin Bush of Michigan reacts after being chosen #10 overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft on April 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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15 Nov 1998: Levon Kirkland #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to block during the game against the Tennessee Oilers at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The Oilers defeated the Steelers 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
15 Nov 1998: Levon Kirkland #99 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to block during the game against the Tennessee Oilers at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. The Oilers defeated the Steelers 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /

10. Levon Kirkland (1992-2000)

Levon Kirkland was a driving force on a really good linebacking corps that got the Steelers to the Super Bowl in 1995. The inside linebacker was drafted in the second round with the 38th overall pick by Pittsburgh in the 1992 draft.

Unlike many of the others Steelers from the 90s, Kirkland didn’t specialize in harassing quarterbacks. His game was more focused on fulfilling the traditional role of an inside linebacker, which led to him recording over 1,000 tackles, unofficially, during his career.

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While he wasn’t as tall as the other Steelers linebackers, Kirkland was just 6-1, he weighed 270 pounds. For comparison, middle linebackers Luke Kuechly and Bobby Wagner weigh an average of 240 pounds. New England Patriots defensive end, Michael Bennett weighs just 274 pounds. Defensive end Nick Bosa, who was taken second overall in this year’s draft, weighs in at just 266 pounds. That means Kirkland held the weight of some modern defensive ends in a 6-1 frame and was still quick enough to become a dominant player.

Kirkland played in all 16 games his rookie season, but he never made a start. As a sophomore, he started 13 games and showed enough talent to seize the starting job for the better part of a decade.

Over time, Kirkland improved as a run defender and as a coverage linebacker. He even stepped up in the pass rush when Pittsburgh lost many of the linebackers that made the 1995 team so good.

Following the 2000 season, Kirkland and the Steelers parted ways. He spent 2001 in Seattle, recording 100 combined tackles at the age of 32. 2002 was Kirkland’s final season. He spent it in Philadelphia, where he recorded another 74 combined tackles. In the end, Kirkland finished his Steelers career with 18.5 sacks and 11 interceptions.

ESPN also credits the Clemson product with 16 forced fumbles and eight fumble recoveries as a Steeler. reliable tackle data is harder to find. ESPN credits Kirkland with 808 combined tackles as a Steeler. Pro Football Reference claims he recorded 1,023 combined tackles during his career, 849 of which came in Pittsburgh.

During his nine-year stay in Pittsburgh, Kirkland went to Pro Bowls in 1996 and 1997. He was selected as a Second Team All-Pro in 1996 and a First Team All-Pro in 1997. Despite only being sparsely rewarded during his career, Kirkland was still named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Second Team All-1990s Team. Like many Steelers from his era, Kirkland was a great player, but he didn’t build up a résumé worthy of the Hall of Fame.

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