The Pittsburgh Steelers have had many former players emerge in the UFL as both coaches and players. The UFL was created in 2023 due to the merger between the XFL and the USFL. The XFL and USFL became the biggest spring football leagues that saw former NFL and NCAA football players get a shot at playing pro football. The UFL has continued to rise in popularity, advertised as hard-nosed, rough, old-school football. The UFL is divided into two conferences, the XFL conference with four former XFL teams and the USFL conference with four former USFL teams. The Pittsburgh Maulers, unfortunately, did not make the cut for the new league despite playing in the USFL championship in the 2023 season.
As of Week 1 of the UFL season, there are 24 former Steelers on opening day rosters. Players such as running back Anthony McFarland Jr. and punter Brad Wing, who both play for the San Antonio Brahmas. Former Steelers are already showing off their talent in the UFL with both Wing and McFarland being involved in touchdowns. Wing threw a 40-yard touchdown on a fake punt to his center Alex Mollette and McFarland took a check-down to the house for a 28-yard touchdown.
McFarland was a running back who during his NFL tenure added talented depth to the Steelers, showing out during preseason games and being a voice for younger players like Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. Wing averaged 43.7 yards on each punt with Pittsburgh in 2014, but was traded because mistakes that caused him to be dealt to the New York Giants. Wing was given a second chance recently in Pittsburgh recently, being signed to the practice squad and stepping in for an injured Pressley Harvin III in 2023.
Cornerback Quincy Wilson also made a UFL team roster playing for the Brahmas. Wilson was on the Steelers practice squad in 2022 and was quickly released. Wilson's college and early NFL career put him on the map for the XFL in 2023 where he was signed to the Houston Roughnecks. Wilson is currently on Injured Reserve, but will be a key part of the Brahmas' defense when healthy.
Former Steelers Also Having Coaching Success
Former Steelers safety and defensive backs coach Carnell Lake landed the defensive coordinator job for the Memphis Showboats. Lake, a five-time Pro Bowler, joined the Steelers Hall of Honor in 2021. Lake mentioned in the Hall of Honor press conference that his god father was also a Steelers player, wide receiver Roy Jefferson, who played five seasons with the Steelers. Jefferson played between 1965 and 1969 before being traded to the Baltimore Colts.
Former Steelers quarterback Bruce Gradkowski is the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Battlehawks. Gradkowski played in the NFL from 2006 to 2014 and played for the Steelers in 2014 prior to retiring.
Gradkowski coaches three quarterbacks in St. Louis, those being starting quarterback AJ McCarron, and backups, Brandon Silvers, and Manny Wilkins. Gradkowski was a solid Steelers' backup quarterback who will pass his experience on to his new offense.
Many more Steelers players made UFL rosters either starting or adding talented depth these players continue to make Pittsburgh proud. Young players, veterans, and any player in between is being given another shot to play football at a high level.
Are yinz watching the UFL? What team are you rooting for after the Maulers got bounced? Are you surprised former Steelers players are having success?
More must-reads: