The last time Myles Jack was in Pittsburgh, he wore a standard number for a linebacker. That was No. 51, now taken by rookie outside linebacker Nick Herbig. Now that Jack is back in the fold, he has to choose a new number, and he decided on No. 16, a number that will stand out from the rest of the linebackers in the NFL, including Pittsburgh’s linebackers. In general, the Steelers have had standard linebacker numbers, but Mykal Walker wore No. 38 this past week, so this is getting pushed.
The last player to wear No. 16 for Pittsburgh in a regular season affair was cornerback Josh Jackson last season. Wide receiver and kick returner Jordan Byrd wore it this preseason. But in the past, players such as Lance Moore, Charlie Batch, and Mark Malone stand out as players who have worn the number in Pittsburgh’s history. While he did not become the prolific quarterback he became with the Steelers, Len Dawson wore the number for his three seasons with the team, too. Jack will be the first true linebacker to wear the number in the team’s history.
Jack was released from the Philadelphia Eagles’ retired list last week and cleared waivers, allowing him to sign with any NFL team if he chooses to. There was immediate reported interest between Jack and the Steelers concerning a return to Pittsburgh.
Jack, who spent the 2022 season with Pittsburgh, was released by the Steelers in March. After being a free agent for most of the summer and contemplating leaving football for a trade, he signed with the Eagles on Aug. 6.
Jack, 28, played in 15 games and made 13 starts for the Steelers last year. He led the Steelers in tackles with 104 last season, and also had three tackles for loss, three passes defended and one quarterback hit.
A second-round draft pick out of UCLA by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, Jack spent six seasons with the Jaguars before joining the Steelers as a free agent in 2022.
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