Latest news with #TroyPolamalu
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers countdown to kickoff — No. 43: a history of the number and who wore it best
The Steelers countdown to kickoff is here — and we're at 43 days until Pittsburgh faces off against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. In the spirit of the countdown, we're taking a look at the history of No. 43 and the players who wore it best. Current Steelers No. 43 wearer: N/A There isn't a Steeler wearing No. 43 on the 2025 roster — and there hasn't been one since the NFL's greatest safety retired in 2015. Last five Steelers to wear No. 43: Best No. 43 in Steelers history: S Troy Polamalu There's no debating this selection — Troy Polamalu is the best Steeler to ever wear No. 43. Drafted with the 16th overall pick in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft, Polamalu terrorized opposing offenses for 12 seasons — snagging 32 interceptions in 158 games for the Black and Gold. He helped lead Pittsburgh to two Super Bowl titles, was named the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year, earned eight Pro Bowl nominations, four First-Team All-Pro selections, and two Second-Team All-Pro selections. Additionally, Polamalu was named to the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Time Team, and the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020 — leaving behind an untouchable legacy that will live on as not only the best Steeler to ever wear No. 43, but one of the NFL's greatest defenders of all time. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Steelers Alan Faneca and Troy Polamalu make ESPN All Quarter Century Team
Looking back over the last 25 years, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had so many great players, it's hard to narrow down the best. But ESPN undertook the daunting task of doing it for the entire league and put together their All Quarter Century teams for offense and defense. They named one Steeler legend on each side of the football to the team. On offense, Alan Faneca made it as one of two left guards. He shared the distinction with Steven Hutchinson. Here's what they had to say about Faneca. Advertisement A stalwart at left guard for the Steelers before late-career spells with the Jets and Cardinals, Faneca missed only one game from 2000 on -- and that was due to rest in a meaningless Week 17 contest in 2001. His six first-team All-Pro selections are more than any other left guard this quarter century. Moving to defense, edge defender T.J. Watt got snubbed but safety Troy Polamalu was there as the team's strong safety. He joined Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins and Earl Thomas as the four safeties. This was how they broke down Polamalu's career. Polamalu flying all over the field epitomized what NFL teams began prioritizing with modern safeties. He is fifth among safeties with 103 passes defensed since 2000. He also had 80 run stops (tackles to stop runs short of a successful play), which is third among all defensive backs since 2000. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Former Steelers Alan Faneca and Troy Polamalu named to ESPN All Quarter Century Team
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Steelers legend Troy Polamalu, Jalen Ramsey go viral in worlds collide video call
Steel sharpens steel — the perfect description for the viral virtual meeting of new Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey and Pittsburgh's legendary safety, Troy Polamalu. On Saturday afternoon, ex-Steelers safety turned ESPN analyst Ryan Clark posted a screenshot of a surprise video call between Ramsey and Polamalu on social media — captioning the moment: Advertisement "Connecting the Greats!! One Steelers legend and the next!" The post garnered praise and excitement from Steelers fans on social media — and not long after, Ramsey would thank Clark in the comments of his Instagram post for orchestrating the call: "Man, I appreciated that big bro @realrclark … Much love! I can't wait to be a part of something special!" The video call wasn't just a symbolic passing of the torch — Ramsey is expected to make an immediate impact throughout the Steelers secondary. His versatility allows him to line up outside, in the slot, and even at safety — a position Polamalu knows all too well. Advertisement After the Steelers traded All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh could lean heavily on Ramsey's ability to play deep — but signing a veteran free-agent safety isn't entirely out of the question. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' Jalen Ramsey connects with Troy Polamalu in viral video call
New York Times
03-07-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Steelers sign GM Omar Khan to 3-year extension following flashy offseason
After an offseason full of roster changes, the Pittsburgh Steelers took a step toward maintaining stability and continuity in the front office on Thursday. General manager Omar Khan signed a three-year contract extension, the team announced. The deal runs through the 2028 season. With coach Mike Tomlin signed through the 2027 season, two of the Steelers' most influential decision-makers are now on the books for at least three seasons. Advertisement Khan, 48, joined the Steelers in 2001 as a salary cap expert and negotiator on the financial side of the operation. Over the next two decades, his voice and influence grew within the organization. Some of his early contributions included researching draft-day trades to establish a price to trade up for Troy Polamalu and negotiating Jerome Bettis' final deals. In the summer of 2022, the Steelers promoted Khan to general manager, replacing Kevin Colbert. The shift in leadership also brought a philosophical change to the Steelers. An organization that's traditionally been patient and conservative has become much more aggressive in all areas: in the draft, in free agency and with bold trades. Beginning in his first season, Khan made it clear he wasn't afraid to put his stamp on the Steelers, when he dealt receiver Chase Claypool to the Chicago Bears in exchange for what would become the 32nd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Steelers used that pick on cornerback Joey Porter Jr., while Claypool's career fizzled. That trade is still considered by many to be one of the more lopsided wins in Khan's tenure in the command chair. Before picking Porter, Khan traded up from No. 17 to No. 14 to make offensive tackle Broderick Jones the first-ever draft pick under the new regime. Although the Steelers' coaching staff has yet to develop Jones to justify the move, the process was sound. By moving up, the Steelers addressed an area of need and did so with the last offensive tackle most evaluators considered worth a first-round pick. After Khan's first draft, Tomlin anointed the new GM the 'Khan Artist.' Over the subsequent seasons, Khan has continued to live up to that nickname, with aggressive wheeling and dealing while hiding the team's intentions publicly. As Khan settled into his new role, he wasn't afraid to move on from receiver Diontae Johnson. In uncharacteristic fashion, Khan and the Steelers also punted on quarterback Kenny Pickett after just two seasons (and after Khan said he had 'full faith' in the QB). That same offseason, Khan also traded for Justin Fields and signed Russell Wilson. Advertisement Not all of Khan's moves have paid off — receiver Mike Williams and outside linebacker Preston Smith made only minimal contributions as trade acquisitions last year — but the Steelers' GM has been willing to assert himself and evolve Pittsburgh's approach. More recently, Khan has made the Steelers the story of this offseason with several blockbuster trades and the signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The busy stretch began when Khan acquired Pro Bowl receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and then signed him to a handsome new deal. Given Metcalf's production over the years and his four-year, $132 million price tag, it's one of the flashiest outside additions in team history. A few weeks later, after repeatedly saying he wouldn't trade George Pickens, Khan dealt the mercurial receiver to Dallas in a polarizing move. Though Tomlin said publicly that Pickens needed to 'grow up,' the trade is still a gamble because of the receiver's outsized potential. Finally, just this week, Khan swung big again with another blockbuster trade. He dealt five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for a pair of Pro Bowlers: defensive back Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith. There's no question Khan's philosophy has brought flash and excitement to the Steelers. But, just as significantly, they have remained unable to snap their now eight-year playoff drought. Moving forward, Khan's performance should be evaluated based on two main areas: Can he snap the playoff winless streak? And perhaps more importantly, can he find the next franchise QB after years of instability at the most important position in football? With a projected 12 draft picks in 2026, Khan should once again have a chance to build the Steelers in his image. It's also significant that Tomlin's contract expires at the end of the 2027 season, one year before Khan's. How much decision-making power will owner and team president Art Rooney II give Khan when it comes to the head coach, and what will Khan's recommendation be?
CBS News
20-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Steelers legends Alan Faneca, Troy Polamalu included in ESPN's NFL All-Quarter Century Team
Pittsburgh Steelers legends Troy Polamalu and Alan Faneca were both included in ESPN's recent NFL All-Quarter Century Team. ESPN compiled a 53-man roster with a full lineup, made up of the best NFL players since 2000 and Polamalu and Faneca, both Pro Football Hall of Famers, made the cut. The list consists of 25 offensive players, 25 defensive players, and five special teams player. Alan Faneca, who spent the first 10 years of his 13 years in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, was one of the two left guards named, along with Steve Hutchinson. Faneca was an eight-time All-Pro selection before being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 21: Guard Alan Faneca #66 of the Pittsburgh Steelers blocks for running back Amos Zereoue #21 against the San Diego Chargers on December 21, 2003 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Faneca was selected to the 2004 NFL Pro Bowl. / Getty Images "His six first-team All-Pro selections are more than any other left guard this quarter century," the ranking said. Troy Polamalu was one of four safeties picked for the team, along with Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins, and Earl Thomas. Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu (43) celebrates his interception for a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Sunday, January 18, 2009. The Steelers defeated the Ravens, 23-14. Lloyd Fox/Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images "Polamalu flying all over the field epitomized what NFL teams began prioritizing with modern safeties," the ranking said. His 80 run stops ranked third among all defensive backs since 2000. Polamalu was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020. Patrick Peterson, who played 13 NFL seasons and ended his career in Pittsburgh in 2023 was included in the cornerbacks section of the team alongside Aliquippa native Darrelle Revis, Champ Bailey, Ronde Barber, and Richard Sherman. Antonio Brown, Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt, and Cordarrelle Patterson were listed as "practice squad" players who fell just short of making the list for their position groups.
