Legends and Legacies: The Unfinished Debate in the Steel City

It’s not every day that a franchise’s modern legacy is distilled into a single list, but that’s exactly what happened this week as CBS Sports revealed its ranking of the top 10 Pittsburgh Steelers players of the 21st century. The list quickly became a battleground of opinions, debates, and nostalgia, putting the spotlight squarely on two franchise legends: Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu.

Honorable mentions

• TE Heath Miller
• DE Aaron Smith
• NT Casey Hampton
• LB Joey Porter
• RB Le'Veon Bell
• RB Willie Parker
• LB James Farrior
• S Minkah Fitzpatrick 

At the heart of the rankings is a debate that has simmered for years among Steelers faithful. Roethlisberger, the quarterback who delivered two Super Bowl titles and set nearly every franchise passing record, is an obvious candidate for the top spot. But standing in his way is Polamalu, the generational safety whose instincts, athleticism, and hair-flipping heroics helped define an era of Pittsburgh defense.

The ranking doesn’t just celebrate past glories; it reopens the conversation about what makes a player truly great. Is it stats, championships, leadership, or the ability to deliver in the biggest moments? Roethlisberger’s big arm and late-game heroics earned him a mountain of respect, while Polamalu’s game-changing plays—often coming out of nowhere—cemented his status as one of the most beloved defenders in league history.

As the rest of the top 10 filled out with names like Hines Ward, James Harrison, and Maurkice Pouncey, fans and analysts alike debated the merits of each selection. Some argued for more love for the defensive stalwarts, while others pointed to offensive firepower as the driving force behind the Steelers’ consistent success since 2000.

One thing is clear: lists like these keep the fire of competition and pride burning in Pittsburgh. Whether you believe Roethlisberger’s leadership or Polamalu’s brilliance defines the era, the debate itself proves the Steelers’ standard of excellence remains as high as ever. The next generation will have big shoes to fill—and even bigger legacies to chase.