It has been a long and windy road for the Steelers from when they were founded in 1933 to modern day. They have seen long stretches of failure and other more successful eras where they saw plenty of victories. With those different stretches and a family business built on structure and consistency, plenty of history is made.
With the 90 years of history formed, there are plenty of great talents that have played for Pittsburgh football. Their defense has been the most storied throughout history as most of their championships were built off the back of those groups. Constructing an all-time defense for this franchise was difficult to try and figure out who to leave off and who to keep.
Steelers start off their All-time defense with an elite run-stopper
Starter at nose tackle(NT): Casey Hampton
Perhaps one of the most iconic and dynamic nose tackles in the history of the franchise is Casey Hampton. He was never "in shape" but he was always a player that would be ready to go on game day. Hampton was a stable defensive lineman that helped set the precedent of shutting down the run during the iconic defenses of the 2000-2010 teams.
Adding Hampton to this roster and having him penciled in as the starter will solidify the end of the run game. He was so low to the ground that it was nearly impossible to make him move out of the way. The Steelers had a great player here who had his work go unnoticed a lot of the time. Big role on this defense was filled by a large man.
Nose tackle honorable mention: Ernie Stautner
With the honorable mention here goes to Ernie Stautner to fill in as the backup to Hampton. He was a strong force during his playing time with the Steelers during a time when the franchise struggled to find any success. Stautner would be a nice option to plug holes in the middle and provide a tough force for offenses to overcome.
Both defensive tackle spots get filled by Steel Curtain members
Starters at defensive tackle (DT): Joe Greene and L.C. Greenwood
One of the hardest things to try and sift through was which defensive tackles you would start, and which you would bench. Some high-quality players had to be left off the team entirely, but the two starters make the most sense. L.C. Greenwood does not fit the typical mold as a defensive tackle, but that is how the game is lined up now.
Both he and "Mean" Joe Greene would continue to be a formidable force in the middle of this defense. Greenwood would be able to apply a good quantity of sacks in the middle and allow Hampton to also help in the run game. Greene can do it all and his leadership on this team would be unmatched compared to anyone else.
Defensive tackle honorable mentions: Dwight White and Cam Heyward
One of the biggest challenges was deciding who from the Steel Curtain could be left off the starting lineup. Dwight White got the chopping block here as Greenwood's pass rush was too much to pass up on. Having White in reserves would benefit all and provide a nasty backup that could come off the bench and pick up where the starter left off.
A surprising pick here as Cam Heyward makes the team as his career still continues to push onward. He is getting close to setting the all-time sack record in franchise history, which is almost unheard of by a defensive tackle. Heyward possesses great qualities both on and off the field that makes him an easy decision to keep on this roster.
A surprising pick takes a starting spot from a legendary duo
Starters at outside linebacker (OLB/EDGE): T.J. Watt and James Harrison
In comes the likely controversy as both T.J. Watt and James Harrison are relatively new players to the Steelers when you look at their 90-year history. Harrison will likely get more leniency since he retired and had a borderline Hall of Fame career. Harrison leads the franchise in total sacks in his career for the time being and is a tone setter during games.
Watt is the player here that is roughly halfway through his career, but you cannot ignore the amazing numbers that he has produced in that time. Injuries will always be a concern with him, but he is a special player when he is on the field. He tied the record for most sacks in a season and will bypass as the franchise record holder well before he retires from the game of football.
Outside linebacker honorable mentions: Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene
There could have been several extra honorable mentions that could have made this roster, but not everyone can be included. The decision was made to keep a dynamic duo intact and that included both Greg Lloyd and Kevin Greene making the all-time roster for Pittsburgh. Both played together in the 90s and had a special tandem.
Lloyd was more of a true Steelers representative as he spent most of his career with the club. Greene was another player that had some great seasons in the black and gold, but he did not stick around as long as Lloyd. Keeping that chemistry on the roster with a duo that could attack the passer like them was a slam dunk option in this roster construction.
Two legendary linebackers take control at inside linebacker with some adjustments
Starters at inside linebacker (ILB): Jack Lambert and Jack Ham
As fans of the black and gold can attest to nowadays, inside linebacker is an important position on defense. It is hard to remember the last time the Steelers had some good players at the position, but this all-time roster can stop those concerns. Jack Lambert is the top dog on this defense as his menacing looks will continue to strike fear into anyone they face.
Another name that always flies under the radar of being one of the best to ever wear black and gold is Jack Ham. He is often overlooked since Lambert was a poster guy with his iconic look. Ham did not play inside during his career, but he would slide into that spot with the club going with a 3-4 defense. He would be able to play there and excel next to the likes of Lambert just like the good old days.
Inside linebacker honorable mentions: James Farrior and Levon Kirkland
One of the best free agent pickups in the history of Pittsburgh football was James Farrior. He established a force in the middle of this defense and was able to quarterback those defenses of the 2000s and early 2010s with ease. Farrior was an unsung hero of his time and would be a nice option to turn toward if Lambert and Ham were not available.
Another name that many might not bring to the forefront for this group but should is Levon Kirkland. He was an athlete that seemed to be too big of a guy for someone that could move as fast as he could. Kirkland played during a disappointing era of Steelers football as they never won a championship, but he would be a unique option to have on this roster.
The Steelers cornerback room was loaded with talent that forced tough decisions
Starters at cornerback (CB): Rod Woodson and Mel Blount
Even though there is a stigma that the Steelers cannot draft and produce much talent at cornerback, they have had a lot of good players at the position. Rod Woodson is the most flexible position wise, but he joins this club as cornerback. Woodson could always be lined up at different spots in the secondary, but his shutting down an opposing receiver is the best option.
Mel Blount makes the team, and that might be one of the most obvious choices on this team. He had a rule made because he was too physical of a player and the receivers could not get past him. Most think Blount could still have a couple of NFL snaps left in him at his older age but having him back at his prime next to Woodson would be unfair.
Cornerback honorable mentions: Jack Butler and Ike Taylor
Looking back through different players through history and Jack Butler makes too much sense not to make this team. Butler played in the NFL for nine years, all with the Steelers from 1951-1959. He was a turnover machine and was one of the few players on the black and gold that made it into the Hall of Fame.
Other cornerbacks have played well for this team, but Ike Taylor keeps his name on the roster when it is all said and done. He was not a great corner in terms of creating turnovers, but he was able to shut down some top receivers in the NFL. Taylor might not pick you off, but he will not allow your top guy to create a problem for this defense either.
This all-time safety tandem for Pittsburgh might be too good to be true
Starters at safety (S): Troy Polamalu and Donnie Shell
Most should have known that Troy Polamalu was going to make this roster based on his line of work. The Hall of Famer is a perfect fit for this club as he can bring the boom when needed and create timely plays. That is what Polamalu was known for during his playing days and he would be a perfect fit with his timeless talent.
Rounding out the safety duo here is Donnie Shell as he just got recognized for his quality career by his entrance into the Hall of Fame. Having these two at safety will be a hard thing for receivers to overcome with the hitting power both possess. Shell would be a nice complementary piece to Polamalu as they drive opponents to the ground.
Safety honorable mentions: Mike Wagner and Carnell Lake
We round a room of safeties here with a couple of quality players. Mike Wagner had an amazing career that does not get recognized enough. He won four Super Bowls with the Steelers but goes unnoticed since he was not able to play longer than nine years in the NFL. Wagner should get more praise but is a nice addition to this team.
Wrapping up here with Carnell Lake as he was one of the smartest players on the field. He paired nicely with Woodson so that chemistry would help if either Polamalu or Shell were not able to play. Lake had a strong career in his own right and does not get a lot of praise since the teams that he was a part of could not win the Super Bowl.