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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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CANTON, OH – AUGUST 06: Kevin Greene, former NFL linebacker, speaks during his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech during the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CANTON, OH – AUGUST 06: Kevin Greene, former NFL linebacker, speaks during his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech during the NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

9. Kevin Greene (1993-95)

Kevin Greene spent just three years in Pittsburgh. Most players wouldn’t qualify for a list like this after such a short time, but Greene is an exceptional case. He does have the third-most sacks in NFL history after all, trailing only Bruce Smith and Reggie White.

He may have only been with the team for a short time, but the Steelers were successful during his time there. Defensively, the team allowed just 3.48 yards per carry over the three-year span, which was the best in the league.

The Steelers also tallied 139 sacks during the same time period thanks to Greene and several other great linebackers. No team had more during that time. Then, the Steelers nearly won the Super Bowl in 1995, but the Dallas Cowboys pulled off a 27-17 win in a game that could have gone either way. Greene signed with the Carolina Panthers during the offseason.

While with the Steelers, Greene recorded 35.5 of his 160 career sacks. He made Pro Bowl appearances in 1994 and 1995. He was also a First Team All-Pro in 1994 in part because he led the league with 14 sacks. He never missed a game during his three-year stay.

Years later, Greene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and chose to receive his Hall of Fame ring from Pittsburgh, immortalizing himself as a Steeler despite only spending three of his 15 seasons in the black and gold.

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