Perspective Of An Average Steelers Fan: Former Steelers Around The NFL (2024 Edition)

Introduction

NFL teams established their initial 53-man rosters and practice squads just days ago. Teams will continue to add and subtract from their rosters but here is a snapshot just before week one of the 2024 regular season.

This time last season, I found 31 former Steelers on active rosters. Teams tucked away seven more on practice squads and placed 3 on a reserve list. During the season, several more former Steelers signed with teams such as Martavis Bryant and Terrell Edmunds. So, this initial list will have changes throughout the season. This does not count players who appeared on preseason 90-man rosters. Just 53-man rosters, practice squads and reserve lists after final cutdowns.

Ross McCorkle posted every former Steeler released around the NFL on 2024 Cutdown Day last week. Some of those listed are already with new teams. For example, John Leglue is back on the Steelers practice squad after Atlanta released him.

This year, I found 30 former Steelers on other team’s current 53-man rosters. Seven former Steelers show up on practice squads and four on injured reserve. Stayed at about 41 former Steelers on other teams this season. A few more will be added with free agent signings during the season.

Ex-Steelers Around the NFL

Here are the former Steelers appearing on active rosters, reserve lists and practice squads near the start of the 2024 season:

NOTE: Only former Steelers who appeared on Steelers 53-man roster or practice squad included. For example, John Rhys Plumlee is not listed since he only was on a Steelers 90-man roster.

Former Steelers Out in the Cold

Here are 27 former Steelers that appeared on NFL rosters other than the Steelers last season but are currently not with a team:

2023 Steelers Out of NFL

Finally, here are 18 former Steelers that appeared on Pittsburgh’s 2023 regular season roster but are not currently on another team’s roster:

Conclusion

There really is not a single team with a lot of former Steelers on their roster like in previous seasons. This season, two teams have three players on their 53-man roster or practice squad: Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks. For this exercise, I am defining former Steelers as those who have appeared on 53-man rosters or practice squads. I also include players drafted by the Steelers but who never did make the regular season squad (e.g., Chris Oladokun)

Just six NFL teams do not have a former Steeler on one of their rosters (active, practice squad, or reserve list). Down from nine in 2022. As of September 1, 2023, 41 former Steelers appear on teams around the NFL.

Rosters are fluid especially at the start of season. So, expect these snapshot lists to change shape as the season progresses. Let me know who I missed in the comments.

Your Song Selection

I always like to include a bit of music. Steelers fans loved some of these players. Others not so much. But once a player wears the Black and Gold, they are always a Steeler in my mind. Here is Where Did Our Love Go performed by the Supremes.