Steelers countdown to kickoff — No. 19: a history of the number and who wore it best

The Steelers countdown to kickoff is here — and we’re at 19 days until Pittsburgh faces off against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. In the spirit of the countdown, we’re taking a look at the history of No. 19 and the players who wore it best.

Current Steelers No. 19 wearer: WR Calvin Austin III

One of the fastest wideouts in the NFL, Calvin Austin is the current No. 19 wearer on the Steelers roster. Selected with the 138th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Austin has steadily improved each year he's been in the league — with 2025 shaping up to finally be his breakout season under QB Aaron Rodgers at the helm.

Last five Steelers to wear No. 19:

• Calvin Austin III, 2023–present
• JuJu Smith-Schuster, 2017–2021
• Tyler Grisham, 2009
• Andre Coleman, 1997
• David Woodley, 1984–1985

Best No. 19 in Steelers history: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

While lacking a storied history like other numbers in our Countdown to Kickoff, the best Steeler to ever wear No. 19 is WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. Drafted with the 62nd overall pick in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Smith-Schuster made his impact right out of the gates as a rookie in 2017 — producing 917 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on 58 receptions, as well as returning a kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown. The best season of his NFL career was undoubtedly in 2018, when he caught 111 passes for 1,426 yards and seven touchdowns — earning the lone Pro Bowl selection of his career. Although his time in Pittsburgh ended when Ben Roethlisberger retired at the end of the 2021 season, the excitement behind his early rise was second to none — deserving of recognition as arguably the best No. 19 in Steelers history.

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers countdown to kickoff — No. 19: history behind the jersey