Steelers Block Number Jersey: Retired Numbers and Who Wears What

Steelers Block Number Jersey: Retired Numbers and Who Wears What

Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 25th 2026

Pittsburgh Steelers · Numbers guide
Key facts
  • The Steelers have retired three numbers: 32, 70 and 75.
  • Stautner's 70 was retired in 1964; Greene's 75 in 2014; Harris's 32 in 2022.
  • Numbers such as 7, 12 and 43 are unissued but not retired.
  • Aaron Rodgers wears 8; DK Metcalf wears 4.

This guide covers the Steelers' retired numbers and the numbers fans buy in 2026. It does not cover the NFL's position rules, which have their own guide.

Steelers retired numbers

Pittsburgh Steelers retired jersey numbers
NumberPlayerPositionYears with the SteelersRetired
32Franco HarrisFullback/running back1972–1983December 24, 2022
70Ernie StautnerDefensive tackle1950–1963October 25, 1964
75Joe GreeneDefensive tackle1969–1981November 2, 2014

The Steelers have officially retired three numbers. Stautner's 70 was the first, in 1964, and the team then went about 50 years before retiring Greene's 75. Harris's 32 was retired three days after his death. None of the three is worn by a player on the October 2026 roster.

Franco Harris signing a football for sailors in 2009
Franco Harris signing a football during a Navy visit on February 12, 2009, after his playing career. Photo: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tanner Lange. Source · Public domain, as documented by the source · Resized and compressed

Numbers the Steelers do not issue

The Steelers keep other numbers out of circulation without formally retiring them. Wikipedia lists 1, 7, 12, 36, 43, 47, 52, 58, 59, 63 and 86 among numbers that have not been reissued since their wearers left. That includes Terry Bradshaw's 12, Ben Roethlisberger's 7 and Troy Polamalu's 43. Pittsburgh Magazine called retiring numbers something the Steelers do grudgingly, and said the team has about a dozen unissued numbers. For retro looks, see the Steelers throwback jerseys.

Terry Bradshaw number 12 Steelers jersey in a museum case
A Terry Bradshaw Steelers jersey in a Canton museum display, photographed in 2017. Photo: Erik Drost. Source · CC BY 2.0 · Resized and compressed

Current Steelers numbers fans buy

Pittsburgh Steelers players and jersey numbers, ESPN roster of October 25, 2026
PlayerNumberPosition
Aaron Rodgers8Quarterback
DK Metcalf4Wide receiver
Jalen Ramsey5Cornerback
Chris Boswell9Kicker
T.J. Watt90Linebacker
Cameron Heyward97Defensive tackle
Pat Freiermuth88Tight end
Jaylen Warren30Running back
Rico Dowdle13Running back
Patrick Queen6Linebacker

Rosters change during the season, so confirm a player is still on the team before you order a name and number. The NFL jersey number rules explain how the league assigns numbers by position.

Quarterbacks and a few more numbers

More Pittsburgh Steelers jersey numbers, ESPN roster of October 25, 2026
PlayerNumberPosition
Drew Allar16Quarterback
Will Howard18Quarterback
Mason Rudolph2Quarterback
Jaquan Brisker3Safety
Zach Frazier54Center
Alex Highsmith56Linebacker

Rodgers wears 8 in Pittsburgh. Number 12, which Bradshaw wore, is not on the roster. Injured reserve lists receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in 11 and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in 99.

Legend numbers

Steelers legends and their numbers
LegendNumberStatus
Terry Bradshaw12Not retired; not on the roster
Franco Harris32Retired, 2022
Joe Greene75Retired, 2014
Troy Polamalu43Not retired; not on the roster
Ben Roethlisberger7Not retired; not on the roster
Ernie Stautner70Retired, 1964

A number tells you the era, not the player, so match the number to a name on the listing. Bradshaw's 12 and Polamalu's 43 are the two numbers fans ask about most, and neither is on the 2026 roster.

The Hall of Honor

The Steelers also honor players in their Hall of Honor, established on August 1, 2017. Wikipedia lists 63 inductees as of its last update. The Hall of Honor does not retire numbers, so it works alongside the three retired numbers and the unissued ones.

More current Steelers numbers by position

Pittsburgh Steelers jersey numbers by position group, ESPN roster of October 25, 2026
Position groupNumbers and players
Running back30 Jaylen Warren, 13 Rico Dowdle, 21 Travis Homer, 29 Eli Heidenreich
Tight end88 Pat Freiermuth, 85 Robert Tonyan, 80 Darnell Washington
Offensive line54 Zach Frazier, 66 Mason McCormick, 74 Spencer Anderson, 76 Troy Fautanu
Defensive line and linebacker95 Keeanu Benton, 51 Nick Herbig, 56 Alex Highsmith, 55 Cole Holcomb
Defensive backs22 Asante Samuel Jr., 23 Daylen Everette, 26 Brandin Echols, 35 Jamel Dean

Players move between the active roster and injured reserve often. Use the table as a starting point for the player you want, and check the listing for the exact name and number.

Women's and youth sizes

Most players above come in women's Steelers jerseys and youth Steelers jerseys where a style is listed. Check the NFL jersey size chart, then confirm the name and number. Start from Pittsburgh Steelers jerseys to pick a style.

Steelers block number jersey

A Steelers block number jersey is the gold 1933 throwback, which has large black block numbers on the back. The current black and white jerseys use the team's rounded numbers that match the helmet font, which the Steelers adopted in 1997.

Back and front of a gold T.J. Watt number 90 Steelers throwback retail jersey
The retail garment shows large black block numerals on the back, the number treatment discussed in this section. Image: JerseyZenith catalog. Source

Nike makes every Pittsburgh Steelers jersey we sell, in home, away, alternate, Rivalries and throwback styles where the team has them, so a player's number is the same on each style. Compare Game and Limited in our tier guide and shop all Steelers jerseys.

FAQ

How many numbers have the Steelers retired?

Three: 32, 70 and 75.

When did the Steelers retire Franco Harris' number?

On December 24, 2022, three days after his death.

Who was the first Steeler to have a number retired?

Ernie Stautner, whose No. 70 was retired on October 25, 1964.

Is Ben Roethlisberger's number retired?

Not officially. The Steelers have not reissued 7.

Is Terry Bradshaw's number retired?

Not officially. The Steelers have not reissued 12.

Is Troy Polamalu's number retired?

Not officially. The Steelers have not reissued 43.

What number does Aaron Rodgers wear?

No. 8.

Who wears Joe Greene's number?

No one. Greene's No. 75 was retired on November 2, 2014.

Why are some Steelers numbers unissued?

The team keeps them out of circulation to honor the players, though it has not formally retired them.

What is the Aaron Rodgers jersey number?

Aaron Rodgers wears No. 8.

What is the Aaron Rodgers jersey number with the Steelers?

No. 8; Aaron Rodgers jersey numbers elsewhere differ.

What is the DK Metcalf jersey number?

DK Metcalf wears No. 4.

What is the Jalen Ramsey jersey number?

Jalen Ramsey wears No. 5.

What was the Terry Bradshaw jersey number?

Terry Bradshaw wore No. 12.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, List of Pittsburgh Steelers retired numbers
  2. Pittsburgh Magazine, Immaculate Remembrance (search summary only)
  3. Steelers.com, Steelers retire Harris' No. 32 (search summary only)
  4. ESPN, Steelers roster (Oct 25, 2026)