Looking for a new Steelers jersey? These are your safest options – Behind the Steel Curtain

If you’re a sports jersey collector, like myself, you’ve likely been burned on buying a jersey only for the player to end up on another team just a few years later. You don’t want your hard earned dollars to go to waste, but you want to rep your team accordingly. I’ve sorted some of the most popular Pittsburgh Steelers players into categories of safeness, so you don’t have to worry (as much) about getting yourself some new threads.

*Disclaimer – The NFL is a business and a player could be dealt or dropped at a moments notice for any particular reason. Purchase merchandise at your own peril.

Ben Roethlisberger
Cam Heyward

These guys are staples of the organization. Even in retirement you will see many of their jersey around Heinz Field on a game day. Picking up a Ben Roethlisberger or Cam Heyward jersey you will know you’re repping a career Steeler, and guys that will never go out of style in the Steel City.

T.J. Watt
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Devin Bush

The only thing stopping these guys from being in the ‘Safe’ category is their upcoming free agency. T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Devin Bush should be staples of the Steelers for years to come. Once they are locked into their next contracts I would imagine all threee being life long Steelers. That being said negotiations occasionally fall off the rails and lead to surprising divorces from star players and their teams. Nothing is for certain yet.

Chase Claypool
Diontae Johnson

If the Steelers have taught us anything the last number of years it’s to not invest in the uniform of wide receiver or running back. Rarely any of these guys see a second contract, and even if one of the members of the skill group does something special they are still just as likely to be moved on from when their rookie deal expires.

Wait until these guys get a second contract.

Rookie immediately after the draft
Current Free Agents

I cannot stress this enough, do not ever purchase a rookies jersey before they have taken a single snap. You are playing with some extreme fire. For every T.J. Watt, and Devin Bush their is a Jarvis Jones, Artie Burns, or Ziggy Hood.

Another group I would highly suggest to stay away from is any of the current free agents. This should be obvious, however I know some people have already put themselves in this dangerous situation. It’s just not worth it. Plus those jersey’s will be on extreme discount in just a couple weeks anyway…

But what do you think? Have you ever been burned by purchasing a jersey too soon? Let us know your stories, and about your collections down in the comments below.