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Despite highs and lows in Pittsburgh Steelers franchise history, the Terrible Towels never stop waving for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. There have been seasons that left a bad taste in their mouths, but the years of playoff wins and Super Bowl Championships have carried the fanbase through decades.
This offseason has become quite a memorable one with the signing of yet another big-name veteran quarterback in Aaron Rodgers – just one year removed from the addition of Russell Wilson. Over the years, fans have seen numerous QBs join the organization; some of them have helped the Steelers push for another Lombardi Trophy while others have stumbled out of favor.
We went under the hood to review quarterbacks in the Steelers’ 92-year franchise history – two who took the team to the promised land of Super Bowl wins, one who set new precedents, and two who fell from Steelers grace a bit.
Terry Bradshaw
We’re sure that the Steelers faithful won’t argue with the ‘Oklahoma Cowboy’ sitting on top of this quarterback review. While younger Steelers fans might know Terry Bradshaw more for being a colorful commentator, the Hall of Famer was one of the unsung heroes of the Steelers in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Not a prototypical “franchise QB” and, after almost quitting the team in his second year, Bradshaw – under the fierce determination of legendary coach Chuck Knoll – stuck with the Steelers despite their strained coach/player relationship. In doing so, Bradshaw was the field general that led the team to four Super Bowls in six seasons. Outside of Tom Brady and Joe Montana, Bradshaw is the only other NFL quarterback to guide a team to four Super Bowl wins.
Bradshaw had a great surrounding cast on offense and the ‘Steel Curtain’ defense making opponents pay. That combination of intensity on both sides of the ball created a dynasty in Pittsburgh.
Ben Roethlisberger
Next to Bradshaw, Ben Roethlisberger has the longest and most storied tenure among Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks. Throughout his 17-year career (2004-2021), ‘Ben Big’ eluded tacklers, had the best pump fake, threw with determination, and ran over defenders with his intimidating frame to two Super Bowl victories, making himself a fixture among the top NFL quarterback in sportsbooks and NFL betting sites. Roethlisberger and the Steelers came up short in another championship appearance, ironically against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XLV
Besides being the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl, ‘Big Ben’, throughout his dominant Steeler tenure, threw over 64,000 yards for over 400 touchdowns. If that’s not enough, the future Hall of Famer left the playing field with a .710 win percentage.
Kordell Stewart
Between 1995 and 2002, Kordell Stewart almost single-handedly redefined the quarterback position. A departure from the traditional Steelers pocket-passers from yesteryear, Steelers head coach Bill Cowher promoted Stewart to the starting position after the disappointing ending of Neil O’Donnell’s tenure.
Nicknamed ‘Slash’, Stewart was a double-threat quarterback – part running back, part accurate passer – and used his raw athleticism against opponents. His style of play could arguably be credited for the modern-day adaptation of the read-option QB that Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, and Patrick Mahomes became.
Despite several playoff runs and an AFC Championship berth in 2002, Stewart hung up his cleats after throwing over 13,000 yards and 70 touchdown passes.
Neil O’Donnell
Depending on who you speak to, Neil O’Donnell is either loved or hated among the Steel City faithful. O’Donnell was the ultimate pocket passer next to Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins, which fitted the Steeler’s hard-nosed play-action offense of the time. Between 1992 and 1995, O’Donnell’s big play ability and clutch throws helped earn the Steelers three playoff berths.
However, fans have more bad memories than good ones with O’Donnell. The first big one that goes down Steelers Nation’s throats is the failed fourth down conversion in the 1994 AFC Championship game against the Chargers. Second is the letdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the Super Bowl XXX loss. In that game, O’Donnell threw two interceptions.
Still, in the end, O’Donnell finished his brief Pittsburgh tenure with 68 touchdown passes.
Mark Malone
To say that Mark Malone had big shoes to fill was a tremendous understatement. However, in 1984, Malone took over the full-time starting duties for the retired Bradshaw. Malone was a first-round pick for the Steelers in 1980, just months after they won their fourth Super Bowl against the Los Angeles Rams.
While Malone isn’t remembered for his impressive stats, he did provide needed stability at the QB position throughout the 1980s. Despite a quarterback competition with Bubby Brister, Malone finished his Pittsburgh career with 8,582 yards. Malone also threw for 54 touchdowns. After hanging up his helmet, Malone went on to have a successful broadcasting career covering the NFL for ESPN.
Honorable mentions at QB: Starters and backups
While Bradshaw and Roethlisberger get most of the credit for the prototype of legendary Steelers quarterbacks, both owe a debt of gratitude to Bobby Layne. Layne played for the Steelers between 1959 and 1962, finishing with more than 9,000 yards and 66 touchdowns and got the Steelers headed into an ideology that they could compete well in the NFL. Charlie Batch, despite being Roethlisberger’s longtime backup, had many memorable starts. And, Mason Rudolph, who will work with Rodgers and rookie Will Howard in Pittsburgh in 2025, had a memorable season in his first stint with the Steelers; he took over for an injured Roethlisberger in Week 2 of the 2019 NFL season. With Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges as his backup, Rudolph finished a difficult season in Pittsburgh with 1765 passing yards for 13 touchdowns.
Revisiting historic Steelers franchise quarterbacks appeared first on Steel City Underground.