Steelers Name Pickett, Heyward, Watt, Killebrew Team Captains
On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers named Kenny Pickett, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt and Miles Killebrew team captains for the 2023 NFL season. The 34-year old Heyward is serving as a team captain for the ninth consecutive season, while Watt was named a captain for the third team in his career. Killebrew, a mainstay on the special teams units, has been named a captain for the second consecutive season.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the announcement is that second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett was among those chosen by his teammates to lead as captain. Pickett, now the unquestioned starter entering 2023, was flawless during the preseason, orchestrating five touchdown drives in all five of his appearances. This is Pickett’s offense now and his captaincy further solidifies that fact.
The only somewhat surprising omission was that Steelers running back Najee Harris was left off the list after serving as a team captain last year. The total number of captains has typically ranged between four-five players throughout Mike Tomlin’s tenure as head coach.
STEELERS TEAM CAPTAINS SINCE 1998
2023: QB Kenny Pickett, DL Cam Heyward, OLB T.J. Watt, ST Miles Killebrew
2022: QB Mitch Trubisky, RB Najee Harris, DL Cam Heyward, OLB T.J. Watt, ST Miles Killebrew
2021: QB Ben Roethlisberger, DL Cam Heyward, ST Derek Watt
2020: QB Ben Roethlisberger, C Maurkice Pouncey, DE Cam Heyward, OLB T.J. Watt, ST Jordan Dangerfield
2019: QB Ben Roethlisberger, C Maurkice Pouncey, DE Cam Heyward, ST Roosevelt Nix
2018: QB Ben Roethlisberger, C Maurkice Pouncey, DE Cam Heyward, K Chris Boswell
2017: QB Ben Roethlisberger, DE Cam Heyward
2016: QB Ben Roethlisberger, DE Cam Heyward, CB William Gay, ST Robert Golden
2015: QB Ben Roethlisberger, DE Cam Heyward, CB William Gay, ST Robert Golden
2014: QB Ben Roethlisberger, SS Troy Polamalu, ST Robert Golden, K Shaun Suisham
2013: QB Ben Roethlisberger, C Maurkice Pouncey, FS Ryan Clark, DE Brett Keisel
2012: QB Ben Roethlisberger, DE Brett Keisel
2011: QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Hines Ward, ILB James Farrior, ST Arnaz Battle
2010: TE Heath Miller, WR Hines Ward, ILB James Farrior, ST Keyaron Fox
2009: QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Hines Ward, ILB James Farrior, OLB James Harrison, ST Keyaron Fox, K Jeff Reed
2008: QB Ben Roethlisberger, WR Hines Ward, ILB James Farrior, K Jeff Reed
2007: WR Hines Ward, ILB James Farrior, ST James Harrison, ST Clint Kriewaldt
2006: G Alan Faneca, WR Hines Ward, ILB James Farrior, OLB Joey Porter, ST Clint Kriewaldt, ST Sean Morey
2005: G Alan Faneca, WR Hines Ward, ILB James Farrior, OLB Joey Porter, ST Chidi Iwuoma, ST Sean Morey
2004: G Alan Faneca, QB Tommy Maddox, ILB James Farrior, OLB Joey Porter, ST Chidi Iwuoma, ST Clint Kriewaldt
2003: QB Tommy Maddox, OLB Jason Gildon, OLB Joey Porter, ST Clark Haggans
2002: RB Jerome Bettis, OLB Jason Gildon, SS Lee Flowers, ST John Fiala
2001: RB Jerome Bettis, OLB Jason Gildon, ST John Fiala
2000: C Dermontti Dawson, ILB Levon Kirkland, ST John Fiala
1999: C Dermontti Dawson, ILB Levon Kirkland, ST John Fiala, ST Chris Oldham
1998: C Dermontti Dawson, ILB Levon Kirkland, ST Fred McAfee
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