Three Pittsburgh Steelers land in top 45 linebackers of all time

Known for some of the greatest defensive players the NFL has seen, it’s no surprise the Pittsburgh Steelers landed three players in the top 45 linebackers of all time.

‘Gil Brandt’s greatest NFL linebackers of all time‘ may be one of the most accurate NFL ranking lists out there. Running through the top 45 linebackers in the history of the league, Brandt places three Pittsburgh Steelers within the top 25.

To start off the list, James Harrison ranks number 25. As a two-time Super Bowl Champion with 81.5 career sacks and counting, the 39-year-old has certainly placed himself in the discussion of greatest Steelers linebackers of all time.

At number 22, Jack Lambert makes the list as a four-time Super Bowl winner, six-time All-Pro selection, and Hall of Fame inductee. As possibly the most well-known Steelers linebacker in the team’s history, it’s no shock that Lamber finished in the top 25.

To finish Pittsburgh’s reign, Jack Ham ranks number 12. The four-time Super Bowl Champ, six-time All-Pro selection, eight-time Pro Bowler, and Hall of Fame member delivered some of the most devastating blows during his career. Now, nearly 40 years later, he’s still be recognized as one of the greatest defensive athletes to play football.

With the defenses Pittsburgh has had throughout time, there’s no question they deserve to see endless recognition. Of course, Steelers fans would put a strong argument to add guys like Joe Greene and Joey Porter to the list, having three representatives is a great number on a list of 45.

As James Harrison wraps up his career, he could find himself higher on the list. At 39, he doesn’t have many years left, but then again, no one expected him to play this long.

Next: 5 greatest Steelers wide receivers of all time

Over time, the Steelers could find themselves with much more than three names on this list. As they cotinue rebuilding their defense, players like Ryan Shazier, T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree will make their case to join the elite group by the time their NFL careers end.