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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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PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 08: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen on the field after a play during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card game at Heinz Field on January 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 08: James Harrison #92 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen on the field after a play during the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card game at Heinz Field on January 8, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

3. James Harrison (2002-12, 2014-17)

In almost every era since the Steelers became relevant in the 1970s, the team has had a star bruising linebacker. James Harrison is the most recent incarnation of this player.

While things didn’t exactly end well between Harrison and the Steelers, Deebo, as he’s known, has an untarnished legacy in Pittsburgh. He wanted off of the Steelers in 2017 when the team wasn’t playing him much and he got his wish.

Signing with the New England Patriots at the end of the season did hurt, but Harrison proved he still had something left in the tank immediately, recording five combined tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in the last week of the season. Ultimately, the divide between Harrison and the Steelers was because of issues on both sides. It shouldn’t be held against Harrison.

Besides, that same season, Harrison came in clutch for Pittsburgh in a Week 6 win against Kansas City. On very limited snaps, he terrorized the Chiefs and delivered a massive sack that helped the Steelers secure a 19-13 win. There are plenty of other plays like that in Harrison’s career as well.

Let’s not forget that the Steelers wouldn’t have won Super Bowl XLIII with Harrison’s incredible 100-yard pick-six. That play is still one of the most iconic and improbable in Super Bowl history. I know Santonio Holmes was the game’s MVP, but Harrison had to be in the conversation for the award as well.

At the end of the day, Harrison, who was originally an undrafted free agent, will likely fall short of the Hall of Fame. He went to five Pro Bowls, was named a First Team All-Pro and Second Team All-Pro twice, took home two Super Bowls with the Steelers, and he won the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year award.

During that 2008 season, Harrison recorded 101 combined tackles, 16 sacks, a safety, three passes defensed, an interception, and seven forced fumbles. That’s a great career, but the longevity required of Hall of Famers just isn’t there.

Harrison’s legacy will live on in the memories of Steelers fans though. His 80.5 official sacks with the Steelers are the most in team history. His bone-rattling hits include some of the biggest collisions in recent memory. Truly, Harrison was the best type of player that could have ended up in Pittsburgh.

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