If you are a collector of sports t-shirts, like me, you probably resented buying a shirt just so the player ended up on another team a few years later. You don’t want your hard earned money to be wasted, but you want to represent your team accordingly. I have classified some of the most popular Pittsburgh Steelers players into security categories, so you don’t have to worry (so much) about getting some new topics.
*Disclaimer – The NFL is a business and a player can be traded or released at any time for any particular reason. Buy goods at your own risk.
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Photo by Julio Aguilar / Getty Images
Ben Roethlisberger
Cam Heyward
These guys are the foundation of the organization. Even in retirement, you will see many of his uniforms around Heinz Field on a game day. When choosing a Ben Roethlisberger or Cam Heyward shirt, you’ll know you’re representing a career Steeler and guys who will never go out of style in Steel City.
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Joe Sargent photo / Getty Images
TJ Watt
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Devin Bush
The only thing that prevents these guys from being in the ‘Insurance’ category is their next free agency. TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Devin Bush are expected to be the basic products of the Steelers for years to come. Once they are closed on their next contracts, I would imagine all three being lifetime Steelers. That said, negotiations occasionally get off track and lead to surprising divorces from famous players and their teams. Nothing is certain yet.
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Justin K. Aller photo / Getty Images
Chase Claypool
Diontae Johnson
If the Steelers have taught us anything in recent years, it is not to invest in the wide receiver or running back uniform. Rarely will any of these guys see a second contract, and even if one of the skill group members does something special, they will still be just as likely to be transferred when their newbie contract expires.
Wait until these guys get a second contract.
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Jacob Kupferman photo / Getty Images
Rookie immediately after the draft
Current Free Agents
I can’t stress this enough, never buy a beginner’s shirt before they take a single photo. You are playing with some extreme fire. For each TJ Watt and Devin Bush there is a Jarvis Jones, Artie Burns or Ziggy Hood.
Another group I suggest staying away from is any of the current free agents. This should be obvious, but I know that some people have already put themselves in this dangerous situation. It just isn’t worth it. In addition, these shirts will have extreme discounts in just a few weeks …
But what do you think? Have you ever burned yourself for buying a shirt too soon? Tell us your stories and collections in the comments below.