Steelers Legends Headline Stacked 2027 Hall of Fame Class of First-Time Eligibles
The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 may have come and gone without a single Steeler getting the call, but fans in Pittsburgh have every reason to circle 2027 on their calendars. Four former Steelers - Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, and Joe Haden - are among the first-time eligibles for next year’s Hall of Fame ballot, and each brings a compelling case for Canton.
Let’s start with the headliner: Ben Roethlisberger. The longtime Steelers quarterback is as close to a Hall of Fame lock as it gets.
Drafted 11th overall in 2004, Big Ben spent his entire 18-year career in Pittsburgh, becoming the face of the franchise and helping define an era of Steelers football. His resume speaks for itself - 64,088 passing yards, 418 touchdowns, two Super Bowl titles, and six Pro Bowl selections.
He also took home the 2004 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and set several league records along the way, including most career 500-yard passing games (four) and most wins by a rookie quarterback (13).
Roethlisberger didn’t just put up numbers - he won. He led Pittsburgh to three Super Bowl appearances, winning two (XL and XLIII), and was the steady hand behind some of the most balanced and dangerous offenses in the league. His toughness, improvisational ability, and clutch performances became trademarks of his game, and his longevity in one of the NFL’s most physical divisions only adds to his legacy.
But Roethlisberger wasn’t the only star in Pittsburgh during that run. The “Killer B’s” era - with Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Le’Veon Bell - was one of the most electrifying offensive stretches in franchise history. While it didn’t result in a Super Bowl, the trio lit up box scores and redefined what the Steelers' offense could be.
Antonio Brown, a sixth-round pick in 2010 (No. 195 overall), blossomed into one of the most dominant wide receivers the league has seen. From 2013 to 2018, he was practically unstoppable - six straight seasons with at least 101 catches and 1,284 receiving yards.
He finished his career with 928 receptions, 12,291 yards, and 83 touchdowns. Brown’s accolades are stacked: four-time first-team All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler, two-time NFL receptions leader, two-time receiving yards leader, and a Super Bowl champion with the Buccaneers in 2020.
His time in Pittsburgh ended after the 2018 season, and while his stints with the Raiders, Patriots, and Bucs were eventful, none matched the production or consistency he had in black and gold. Still, Brown’s peak was as good as any receiver in the modern era - and that’s what voters will remember.
Le’Veon Bell, the third member of that trio, was a game-changer at running back. A second-round pick in 2013, Bell brought a rare mix of vision, patience, and receiving ability that made him a matchup nightmare.
From 2013 to 2017, he racked up 5,336 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground, while adding 312 catches for 2,660 yards and another seven scores through the air. He was named first-team All-Pro twice and made three Pro Bowls during that span.
Bell’s unique running style - that signature hesitation behind the line before bursting through a gap - became his calling card. Like Brown, his production dipped after leaving Pittsburgh in 2019, but during his prime, there weren’t many backs in the league who could do what he did on a weekly basis.
Then there’s Joe Haden, who spent the final five seasons of his career with the Steelers after starting out with division rival Cleveland. While he wasn’t drafted by Pittsburgh, Haden made his presence felt in the Steel City. From 2017 to 2021, he tallied 238 tackles, 10 interceptions, and 54 passes defensed, becoming a key piece of a revitalized Steelers secondary.
Across his full career, Haden notched 615 tackles, 29 interceptions, and three Pro Bowl selections. He brought veteran leadership and a lockdown mentality to a defense that prides itself on physicality and playmaking. While he may not be a first-ballot selection, Haden’s consistency and longevity - especially in the AFC North - give him a strong case for eventual enshrinement.
Of course, the 2027 class is loaded beyond just the Steelers. Other first-time eligibles include Rob Gronkowski, Adrian Peterson, Richard Sherman, Cam Newton, and more - a star-studded group that ensures the Hall of Fame conversation will be fierce.
Still, for Steelers fans, 2027 represents more than just a loaded ballot. It’s a potential celebration of an era - one that saw Pittsburgh’s offense reach new heights, led by a franchise quarterback, a generational wideout, a versatile back, and a lockdown corner. If even a couple of them get the nod, Canton could be painted black and gold next year.