The Pittsburgh Steelers history is filled with great offensive weapons. At every position on offense the Steelers have multiple Hall of Fame worthy players. To clarify what I am considering as an “offensive” weapon here are a few rules. I am not counting quarterbacks, this is strictly skill position players. This list is weighted towards all around offensive talent, not just accumulated numbers like rushing or passing yards. And yes this list is subjective, I have my favorites that might be considered too high. With all that in mind, lets kick off my top 15 list:
15. Eric Green TE (1990-1994)
For those who don’t know, or don’t remember, Eric Green was Darnell Washington before there was a Darnell Washington. Except for the fact that Green was in a different stratosphere in terms of athleticism. Eric Green stood 6’5, weighed 280 pounds, and was as fluid an athlete as most receivers. He still holds the Steelers single season reception yards at 942 set in 1993. Here’s a reminder of what Eric Green was back in the 90s https://youtu.be/6L_as98B964?si=_Y7BqWxUfRiTQA0r
14. Kordell Stewart QB/WR ( 1995-2002)
I said no quarterbacks on this list, and I meant it. Kordell Stewart was the ultimate offensive weapon. He is 18th all time in Steelers history with 2,561 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. This is not even mentioning Stewart could have been an All-Pro receiver if he had chosen to go that route.
13. Santonio Holmes WR (2006-2009)
Santonio Holmes had a brief, but spectacular career for the Pittsburgh Steelers. This career included a Super Bowl MVP, in one of the best performances by a Steelers receiver in Super Bowl history. Holmes was a slick, explosive talent who is one of the more underrated players of his time. Despite only playing 4 seasons in Pittsburgh, Holmes is 14th all time in yards for the franchise.
12. George Pickens WR (2022-2024)
This may be controversial, but George Pickens is one of the most talented skill players to ever where the Steelers jersey. Pickens managed a thousand yard season with Kenny Pickett at quarterback, and Matt Canada as offensive coordinator in 2023…….enough said.
11. Heath Miller TE (2005-2015)
Heath Miller is the greatest tight end in Steelers history, period. Miller is 4th all time in receiving yards in Steelers history. He owns every single receiving record for tight end with this team with he exception of total yards in a single season.
10. Mike Wallace WR (2009-2012)
Mike Wallace was the ultimate deep threat. He was the prototypical take the top off the defense type player. Wallace averaged 21 yards per reception in 2010. He remains the leader in average yards per reception for the Steelers in the modern era.
9. Martavis Bryant WR (2014-2017)
There simply never was a more gifted talent to ever wear a Steelers jersey. Maratvis Bryant is the ultimate cautionary tale. This is a player who could’ve been Randy Moss, but ended up barely making a mark in the NFL. We go into great detail about Martavis Bryant in the latest episode of the Steelers Sanctuary Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/live/LrlK9Ku5Agk?si=OLhNWJJtqyb5nx_w
8. Hines Ward WR (1998-2011)
What can we say about the Steelers all time receiving leader. Ward was a college quarterback turned multiple Pro Bowl wide receiver. He is certainly the toughest on this list, and the most consistent.
7. Wille Parker (2004-2009)
Willie Parker is third all time in rushing for the Steelers franchise, and is far and away the most explosive back in team history. Parker still holds the record for the longest run in Super Bowl history (75 yards).
6. Jerome Bettis (1996-2005)
We had the third all time rusher, now we get the second. Jerome Bettis was a a joy to watch, and a nightmare for opposing defenses. His combination of brute strength, and surprising athleticism is unmatched in Steelers history.
5. Lynn Swann (1974-1982)
Swann was an acrobat, posing as a wide receiver. He has some of the most amazing catches in the history of the league. Swann has all the Pro Bowls, All Pros, and Super Bowls to put his resume against anyone in NFL history.
4. Franco Harris (1972-1983)
If this list was predicated strictly on stats alone, Harris would probably be number one. He is the Steelers all time rushing leader, 4 time Super Bowl champion, and multiple time Pro Bowler. Harris basically carried the Steelers offense to its first Super Bowl, where he was also the MVP of that game.
3. Le’Veon Bell (2013-2017)
This is where I will get the most pushback for sure, but in terms of total offensive weapon, this is where Le’Veon Bell belongs. Bell accounted for more than 1,800 yards in 3 of his 5 seasons as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is fourth all time in rushing yards despite only playing in 52 games with the team. Le’Veon Bell is the definition of offensive weapon in the NFL, and one of the best to do it for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
2. John Stallworth (1974-1987)
Stallworth doesn’t get the pub that his more popular team mate Lynn Swann did, but he was the better receiver hands down. John Stallwoth had a 1,300 yard/ 11 TD season in 1984 at 34 years old. That’s not even mentioning all his post season success. John Stallworth did it better, for longer, than any offensive player in Steelers history except for…..
1. Antonio Brown (2010-2018)
A lot of what Antonio Brown did as a Steelers gets overshadowed by the craziness that marred the end of his career. In six year span between 2013 to 2018 Brown AVERAGED 1,550 yards and a little over 11 touchdowns. There isn’t a single player in Steelers history who comes close. Antonio Brown on the field was the greatest skill player in Steelers history.