Steelers officially announce jersey numbers for the 2025 draft class
The Pittsburgh Steelers welcomed seven new drafted players in the 2025 NFL Draft, and for many fans who love the intricacies of new players, their jersey numbers are a big part of the intrigue with new players.
Whether you plan on buying some of these jerseys or not, it is nice knowing what digits these rookies might be wearing. While there was speculation on what numbers the rookies will wear, with rookie minicamp starting this weekend the team announced those jersey numbers Wednesday.
NOTE: Other than first-round draft pick Derrick Harmon, players could change their number once the 53-man roster has been set.
Rookie numbers are in 🙌
📝: https://t.co/JINO1fSrOI pic.twitter.com/SowBVTKnlH
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) May 5, 2025
The NFL has released the numbers for 1st Round draft picks the past few years so jersey sales can begin, so Derrick Harmon’s No. 99 will stick even after the team trims their roster from the 90-man offseason number to the 53-man roster for the season. Two other players have been issued the number they wore in college, both from Ohio State, so Jack Sawyer’s 33 and Will Howard’s 18 have a good chance of remaining the same.
After that, it’s anyone’s guess if these rookies will keep their numbers or change it up if/when they make the 53-man roster and more numbers become available.
However, Kaleb Johnson’s No. 20 seems to fit well, and was last worn by cornerback Cam Sutton. Johnson’s college number of 2 is current worn by Mason Rudolph is very unlikely to be available and it’s uncertain if the Steelers would give a single digit number to a running back. Another player who wore single digits in college was cornerback Donte Kent but his number 4 is currently issued to DK Metcalf. Therefore Kent‘s number 34 appears to be a good fit if he makes the 53-man roster.
The final two numbers are ones who could change depending on how the Steelers 53 main rosters shake out. Defensive tackle Yahya Black has been issued number 78, last worn by James Daniels, because his college number 94 currently belongs to Dean Lowry. Carson Bruner has been issued number 44, previously worn by Tyler Matakevich, because his college number 42 is currently worn by cornerback James Pierre. Whether or not either of these players would change numbers if they become available will be an interesting question come September.
As for other rookies, here are the numbers issued to the undrafted rookie free agents according to Alan Saunders:
#Steelers UDFA jersey numbers:
Sebastian Castro 29
JJ Galbreath 87
Ben Sauls 29
Roc Taylor 81
DJ Thomas-Jones 48
Aiden Williams 71
Ke'Shawn Williams 85 https://t.co/KfOaWmW7J7— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) May 5, 2025
Will these players keep these numbers, or will they be given different numbers? Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the 2025 regular season.
Why won’t the management allow numeral zero again? So stodgy.
I can’t believe they won’t issue 1 either.
Gary Anderson was good, but not great. I liked watching him kick field goals at Duquesne’s field before they put in the bubble.
Not great? The guy is in the hall of fame and is the team’s all-time leading scorer.
No, not in Hall of Fame, and not even in the Steeler’s Hall of Honor as far as I can tell.
He’s not in the HOF. Also, Boswell is about two good seasons from passing him. If he does, should they add his number to the non issue list too?
Morten Andersen was inducted into the HOF, skyfire, not Gary Anderson. Both men were nominated to the 80s and 90s HOFs All-Decade teams. Boswell is more accurate with kicking FGs and is longer off a tee than Anderson. Beside those, Anderson got into a public fight with Noll, just bad form. I do feel compassion for Gary’s missed FG in the ’98 playoffs with the Vikings.
Yeah. Bring one back, too. 21st century and all.
Is it just me, or is it weird seeing an LB wear a number in the 30s (Sawyer)?
Very weird. I can only think of Andy Russell (34) wearing a 30’s number. I’m fine with it though.
Doesn’t Queen wear 6? If Sawyer becomes 2/3rds of Andy Russell, that’d be good.
“Times they’re a-changin…'”
I miss the years when they D Front all wore numbers in the 90’s. Always thought that would be a good confusion tactic for the oline to figure out who’s coming and who’s dropping back
Blitzburgh was something. Greg Lloyd was flat-out mean, and smart.
18 for Howard reminds me of another Ohio State University QB who wore #18 for the Steelers–who I always wanted to see succeed…and was a valuable back-up QB for several years years for the Steelers… Mike Tomczak.
Pretty sure Tomczak’s the last QB to wear 18.
Yep. I remember when the Lions tried to hurt Tomczak on consecutive plays in ’95. Tomszak was tough.