The Pittsburgh Steelers franchise has had more than its share of characters over the years. Over the last twenty years or so the number of these types of players has seemed to jump up dramatically. Let’s take a look at the top ten most controversial Steelers in the last 30 years:
10. Darius Slay:
This was a classic case of a veteran NFL player looking for one last pay day before he retires. Darius Slay never wanted to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but when they offered a guaranteed ten million dollar contract, how could he say no? The dark part of this is that Slay may have had a plan all along to force his way out of Pittsburgh, and take his money with him to go back to Philadelphia. Slay’s play got so bad the Steelers would eventually have to release him. His plan was working perfectly until the Buffalo Bills stepped in and claimed him on waivers. Slay refused to report to Buffalo, and the Bills refused to give up his rights. He would not play another down in the NFL, but he had all ten million of the Steelers money to comfort him.
9. Kenny Pickett:
Kenny Pickett had a roller coaster career in Pittsburgh. There was a brief moment when he actually looks the part of a franchise quarterback, but that lasted about three games before it an all fell apart. Being a first round pick at quarterback who fails to meet expectations is controversial enough, but the way his stint in Pittsburgh ended made him even more so. Pickett had suffered an ankle injury in 2024, but had seemed to recover enough to be made the emergency quarterback in a game versus the Seahawks. Many reports said Pickett refused to dress in frustration from being replaced by Mason Rudolph. He would be traded the next season ending a tumultuous career in Pittsburgh,
8. Rashard Mendenhall:
We all know the story with how things went down with Rashard Mendenhall in Pittsburgh. His career with the Steelers started off with a bang. Mendenhall was in the midst of nearly three straight one thousand yard seasons as the Steelers lead back. Then the infamous fumble vs the Packers in Super Bowl XLV happened. Whether or not it actually cost the Steelers the Super Bowl can be debated. How Mendenehall handled it afterwards is not up for debate. Mendenhall never took accountability for the fumble. He would go on and attack Ben Roethlisberger, and Steeler fans in general for years after retiring, Rashard Mendenhall managed to make himself one of the most hated Steelers by the fanbase of all time.
7. Matt Canada:
The Matt Canada era will go down as possibly the worst offensive performances in team history. The Steelers offense consistently struggled to average over 20 points per game during his tenure, and in his final season they didn’t even break 18 points per game. Canada was so bad in fact, that he became the first Steelers coach of any kind to be fired in season. The amount of turmoil the Steelers offense went through during Canada’s reign can not be undersold. Mike Tomlin hired a lot of bad coaches in his tenure as Steelers head coach, but Matt Canada was on a whole different level.
6. George Pickens:
Maybe because he had to play most of his career under the previously mentioned Matt Canada, but George Pickens certainly earned his way onto our most controversial Steelers list. It was widely known that Pickens had become a real problem in the Steelers locker room, There are many reports of him being late to practice, and even games at times. George Pickens is an uber talented receiver who was extremely frustrated with the Steelers offense. Putting Matt Canada aside, Pickens had a who’s who of bad quarterbacks trying to get him the ball. Form Kenny Pickett, to Russell Wilson, to Mitch Trubsiky the names don’t inspire in the least. We’ve now seen what Pickens can do with a competent offense behind him. This is not to excuse his behavior in Pittsburgh, but maybe to shed some light on why he behaved the way he did. George Pickens will never be the model NFL citizen, but you put up with a lot for that kind of production.
5. LaGarrett Blount:
Nothing quite makes you a controversial figure quite like quitting on your team. And that is exactly what Blount did to the Steelers during the 2014 season. Blount walked off the field during a game apparently not happy with his playing time. We should mention that Blount was playing behind a prime Le’Veon Bell at the time so to think he should get more snaps was pretty outrageous. Making matters worse for Steelers fans is that Blount would sign with New England after his immediate release by the Steelers and end up winning a Super Bowl that same year.
4. Martavis Bryant:
Martavis Bryant is the biggest what if in Steelers history. His physical talents were unmatched in the league at the time. Bryant drew comparisons to Randy Moss, with his tall frame and elite speed. But his ultimate downfall were the drug suspensions. He was suspended for the entire 2016 season for repeated drug violations. The Steelers would eventually trade Bryant before he received an indefinite ban for the same type of drug violations. He was reinstated in 2023, but by then he could no longer regain his form.
3. Le’Veon Bell:
The Le’Veon Bell saga in Pittsburgh had it all. From injuries, to drug suspensions, to year long hold outs Le’Veon Bell did it all. The sad part is Bell was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career despite all the off the field issues. He instead held out an entire season only to take less money as a free agent. His career spiraled after signing with the Jets, and Le’Veon Bell was never the same player.
2. James Harrison:
James Harrison is controversial in so many ways. Some of it endeared him to Steelers fans. Like the violent way he played the game. Harrison was one of the most feared defenders in the league during his prime. It was a reputation that most him tens of thousands in fines. After his Super Bowl 100 yard interception return for a touchdown against the cardinals, there may not have been a more popular player on the team.
Things did not end well in Pittsburgh however. Harrison became unhappy with his lack of playing time in 2017. Reports were he would sleep through meetings in an effort to get released by the team. Harrison would follow the Blount route and sign with the hated Patriots once he finally got his release. It was an ugly way to end one of the most important Steelers careers in team history.
1. Antonio Brown:
Antonio Brown is probably the most controversial player in NFL history, let alone the Steelers. To be honest most of his worst behavior happened after he left Pittsburgh. That is not to say he was a saint in his time with the Steelers. From the “Facebook live incident”, to throwing furniture off a roof, to the constant bickering with Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown was the top dog on a team filled with controversial figures in the late teens. There is no more controversial figure in Steelers history than Antonio Brown. Is it time to be worried about AB?