Steelers Reveal Jersey Numbers For Free Agent Signings

Chris Ward |

Mar 22, 2023

Two Steelers helmets at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 18, 2022. (Mitchell Northam / Steelers Now)

On Wednesday afternoon, the Pittsburgh Steelers https://twitter.com/steelers/status/1638604202040762369″>announced

the jersey numbers for four of their outside free agent signings. The team disclosed last week that eight-time Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson will don No. 20 in the black and gold.

Inside linebacker Cole Holcomb will wear No. 55, while fellow inside linebacker Elandon Roberts will rock No. 50. The last Steeler to wear No. 55 was Devin Bush, who is now with the Seattle Seahawks on a one-year, $4 million deal. Bush never lived up to the hype of being a top-10 pick and he certainly didn’t do No. 55 justice, as Steelers legends Joey Porter and Jon Kolb both once wore the number. Holcomb wore No. 55 when he was with the Washington Commanders.

Roberts will take over No. 50 from Malik Reed, who’s signed with the Miami Dolphins after one disappointing season in Pittsburgh. The Steelers have a pretty good history with inside linebackers who have worn No. 50 — Ryan Shazier, Larry Foote and Earl Holmes. Roberts wore No. 52 with the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins. No. 52 is unofficially retired by the Steelers, however, as Hall of Fame center Mike Webster once wore the digit.

Guard Nate Herbig, also known as “Nasty Nate,” will don No. 71. Herbig wore No. 67 when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles and No. 67 with the New York Jets. The last Steeler to wear No. 71 was Joe Haeg during the 2021 season. Charlie Bradshaw, an offensive tackle in the 1960s, is the most notable Steeler to wear No. 71. Matt Feiler (2017-2020) and Flozell Adams (2010) also wore No. 71.

Guard Isaac Semualo will wear No. 73, which is the same number that he wore in Philadelphia from 2021-2022. Semualo rocked No. 56 from 2016-2020 with the Eagles and switched prior to the 2021 season. Ray Mansfield, Craig Wolfley, Justin Strzelczyk, Kendall Simmons, and Ramon Foster are notable Steelers players who have worn No. 73. The last Steeler to wear No. 73 was Jesse Davis in 2022.