Steelers name 2024 team captains: Russell Wilson, Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, Miles Killebrew

Three of the four players chosen as 2024 co-captains for the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers have combined for 17 seasons serving in such a capacity for the organization.

The new Steelers captain? He trumps them all when it comes to leading an NFL team.

Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and outside linebacker T.J. Watt are captains on the defense for the 10th and fourth time, respectively, it was announced Monday. Miles Killebrew will captain the special teams for a third consecutive year.

And though the offense will have a sixth different captain over the past five seasons, the man in that role — quarterback Russell Wilson — will serve as captain for a 12th consecutive year. Wilson previously wore the “C” for the Seattle Seahawks (2013-21) and Denver Broncos (2022-23).

“He’s brought lot leadership, a lot of energy, that vet energy,” running back Jaylen Warren said after practice Monday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “He’s brought a lot of it. It’s appreciated, which is why we named him captain.”

Wilson, 35, is in his 13th NFL season, having twice played in the Super Bowl for the Seahawks and winning a championship ring after the 2013 season — his first as a captain.

“He’s been doing it at a high level for a long time,” Killebrew said. “With that experience, it can calm nerves. He can lead guys through variety of situations because he’s seen it. A calming presence, I would say.”

The same might be said of Heyward, who is six months younger than Wilson but is in his 14th NFL season. A three-time AP NFL All-Pro, he’s been a captain of the Steelers since 2015.

“I don’t take it for granted,” Heyward said. “It’s an honor to be selected to represent a group of men. But … it’s not just me walking around in front of a podium. It’s listening to the guys, being an extension and representing them as much as possible.”

Heyward took over for the retired Troy Polamalu as a defensive captain, and he shared the honor for two seasons with cornerback William Gay. After serving as the solo defensive captain from 2017-19, Watt joined him in 2020. Though Watt did not serve as a captain in 2021 (he did not take part in team drills during that training camp because of a contract dispute), Watt otherwise has been a co-captain since.

Killebrew joined the Steelers in 2021 and was a captain by his second season with the team.

“It’s an honor, no other way to describe it,” Killebrew said. “It’s something I definitely don’t take for granted. To be able to be voted by my peers means lot. I take great responsibility for it. I have to be a huge support for my guys on ‘teams.’ ”