As you all know by now, Big Ben will not be back for the Steelers in 2022. However, that may not be the only noticeable change in 2022.
In case you have not heard, the Steelers are in the midst of considering name changes for Heinz Field. After opening in 2001, Pittsburgh-based Heinz acquired naming rights for the stadium, and it has borne the name Heinz ever since.
However, in 2020 the contract for the naming rights expired. That said, they were not yet prepared to secure new naming rights; the Steelers extended the contract through the 2021 season. As of yet, the Steelers have not selected a new name, and while Heinz has not completely ruled out renewing the contract, rumors seem to indicate they will not.
Heinz has indicated they are leaning away from renewal because, in 2015, Heinz merged with Kraft and is now the Kraft Heinz Company, and because of the merger, they moved the headquarters out of Pittsburgh.
While the Steelers have not proposed possible new names yet, fans and media outlets have surmised potential name replacements. Some might work, while others just don’t seem to fit. Keep in mind, though, whatever name is selected, part of it will have to do with how much the successful bidder is willing to shell out to have their name on the stadium.
It could be several months before we find out the new name, assuming Heinz chooses not to re-up. So here is a look at some of the potential choices that people are discussing. Some names seem far fetched, and some are logical successors to Heinz