Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has put together an impressive career so far. He has made the Pro Bowl six times in seven seasons, and the All-Pro team four times. He tied the record for most sacks in a season in 2021 and was named Defensive Player of the Year. In 2023, he passed James Harrison for the most sacks in Steelers history.
Watt has 96.5 career sacks thus far. If he can stay healthy and maintain this pace, he might challenge the NFL’s all-time career sacks record, which currently stands at 200 (Bruce Smith).
Even if he were to retire today, Watt deserves mention among the greatest Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers of all time. That’s saying something because the Steelers are a franchise known for fielding some game-wrecking linebackers over the decades.
Here is a look at the best Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers in team history who aren’t named T.J. Watt.
The Greatest Pittsburgh Steelers Linebackers In History
5. Andy Russell (1963-1976)
Seven Pro Bowls
Outside linebacker Andy Russell came to Pittsburgh in 1963, well before anyone ever imagined the Steelers could win a championship. He weathered some tough times in the Steel City until coach Chuck Noll arrived in 1969 and built the team into the team of the decade.
Hall of Famers Jack Ham and Jack Lambert eventually joined Russell, rounding out a linebacking corps that is today regarded as one of the best in NFL history. Russell made seven Pro Bowls during his career and earned two Super Bowl rings before retiring in 1976.
4. Greg Lloyd (1988-1997)
Five Pro Bowls, Three All-Pro Selections
Greg Lloyd was a fierce pass rusher and a key part of the Steelers’ Blitzburgh defense of the ‘90s. During his prime, he made five straight Pro Bowls and three straight All-Pro teams. In 10 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he racked up 53.5 sacks and 10 interceptions.
Lloyd, along with Hall-of-Fame outside linebacker Kevin Greene, and inside linebackers Chad Brown and Levon Kirkland, were the core of a defensive unit that helped the Steelers make it back to the Super Bowl in 1995.
3. James Harrison (2002-2012; 2014-2017)
Five Pro Bowls, Two All-Pro Selections
James Harrison struggled during his first few seasons, and the Steelers and Ravens cut him four times before he eventually found a roster spot with Pittsburgh in 2004. He became a full-time starter in 2007 when he made his first Pro Bowl. He’d make the Pro Bowl each of the next four years, as well as two All-Pro rosters, and he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2008.
Harrison spent 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. At the time of his retirement, he held the team records for career sacks and most sacks in a single season (both eclipsed by T.J. Watt) and he’d earned two Super Bowl rings
2. Jack Ham (1971-1982)
Eight Pro Bowls, Six All-Pro Selections
Jack Ham is possibly the greatest 4-3 outside linebacker in NFL history. Drafted in 1971, he played a major role in the Pittsburgh Steelers Steel Curtain defense of the 1970s. Ham was tough, smart, and always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.
Ham played 162 games with the Steelers, intercepted 32 passes, and earned four Super Bowl rings. He made seven straight Pro Bowls from 1973 to 1980, and six straight All-Pro teams from 1974 to 1979. The Pro Football Hall of Fame inducted Jack Ham with the class of 1988.
1. Jack Lambert (1974-1984)
Nine Pro Bowls, Six All-Pro Selections
Jack Lambert is known today as one of the best middle linebackers of all time, but when he first came into the league he was an undersized backup outside linebacker. He was part of the 1974 draft class, which also brought in Hall of Famers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth—two of the greatest Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers in team history—and Hall-of-Fame center Mike Webster.
The Steelers plugged Lambert into the starting lineup as a rookie because of injuries at middle linebacker, and the rest is history. He earned Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974, then made the Pro Bowl every year from 1975 to 1983. He was a six-time All-Pro, the 1976 Defensive Player of the Year, and a four-time Super Bowl Champion. Jack Lambert entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the class of 1990.
Pittsburgh Steelers Stats Reference
Steelers Career Defense | Pro Football Reference
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