Steelers countdown to kickoff: Best past and present players to wear No. 98

98 days from today, the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Atlanta Falcons at Acrisure Stadium. In the spirit of the countdown to kickoff, we at Steelers Wire will take a look at the history of the No. 98 jersey and analyze which players wore it best.

There isn’t a Steeler currently wearing No. 98 on the team roster as of June 7, 2026.

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• DeMarvin Leal, 2022-2025

• Taco Charlton, 2021
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• Vince Williams, 2013-2020

• Casey Hampton, 2001-2012

• Ernie Brown, 1999

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET

<3 / 18

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET

<4 / 18

Week 4: Thursday Night Football, Oct. 1, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. ET

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Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at New Orleans Saints, 9:30 a.m. ET (Paris)

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Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 10: Sunday Night Football, Nov. 15, at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m. ET

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Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET

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Week 12: Friday, Nov. 27, vs. Denver Broncos, 3:00 p.m. ET (Black Friday Game)

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Week 13: Sunday Night Football, Dec. 6, vs. Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m. ET

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Week 14: Monday Night Football, Dec. 14, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 p.m. ET

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Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 16: TBD, vs. Carolina Panthers, TBD

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Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET

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Week 18: TBD, at Baltimore Ravens, TBD

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While yesterday’s decision between Levon Kirkland and Brett Keisel was a toss-up, No. 98 is a little more straightforward: the best Steeler to ever wear the jersey is hands down Casey “Big Snack” Hampton.

Selected by the Steelers with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft, Hampton recorded 398 combined tackles, 39 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and four forced fumbles in 173 games. But his impact went beyond stats, as Hampton’s massive size, strength, and presence against the run are why he’s arguably one of the greatest nose tackles of all time.

A five-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Super Bowl champion, Hampton is, without a doubt, the greatest Steeler to ever don No. 98.

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