Steelers' rookie jersey numbers already giving fans bad vibes

It's been over two weeks since the start of the 2026 NFL Draft. Hosted in their home city, the Pittsburgh Steelers began the draft with 12 picks and, after two trades, ended up making 10 total selections. Now, the rookie jersey numbers have been announced... and fans aren't having it.

On Friday, the Steelers' official X account dropped a graphic with the jersey numbers of all 10 of Pittsburgh's 2026 draft picks.

While these numbers are subject to change, the Steelers' rookie class will don some numbers that aren't exactly aesthetically pleasing to much of the fanbase.

First-round pick Max Iheanachor will wear No. 71, most recently worn by players like Adrus Peat, Nate Herbig, Joe Haeg, and Matt Feiler. The Steelers' second-round pick and wide receiver Germie Bernard will sport the No. 17. Quarterback Drew Allar will wear No. 16, while fellow third-round picks Daylen Everette and Gennings Dunker will wear No. 23 and No. 73, respectively.

Pittsburgh's fourth-round pick and return specialist, Kaden Wetjen, will wear No. 42 to begin his Steelers jersey, while tight end Riley Nowakowski will have No. 37, and defensive lineman Gabe Rubio will wear No. 96.

Rounding out the Steelers' rookie jersey numbers, seventh-round picks Robert Spears-Jennings and Eli Heidenreich will wear No. 28 and No. 29, respectively.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' rookie jersey numbers are already giving fans a reason to complain about the 2026 draft class

While many fans couldn't care less about player jersey numbers, some are already disgruntled. The comments on the Steelers' X post were mostly negative.

One fan wrote, "16 and 42 is disgusting work," while another didn't sugarcoat it: "These numbers suck." Another fan responded with, "We gotta get Wetjen in a different number." Still, another fan's reaction was, "This draft class is weak."

Of course, it's hardly fair to judge a draft class by its jersey numbers, as it's nothing more than a cosmetic symbol to keep track of players on the field. Fans know this full well, but they had a hard time hiding their disappointment with the ugly vibes these numbers gave off.

If you're in this camp, there are two positive notes: these players will be eligable to change numbers after final roster cuts, and these rookies will have a chance to make these numbers their own. With impressive performances, they can turn an ugly number into something attractive to the fan base (that's what Troy Polamalu did with No. 43 in the 2000s).

Given the nature of the business, there will be some changes. So if you're planning to purchase a Pittsburgh Steelers rookie jersey or two, you might want to hold off until we know which numbers will stick and which players will change their numbers after the preseason.

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