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