Aaron Rodgers formally signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier immediately and the workforce shortly introduced that he could be sporting a No. 8 jersey. P Corliss Waitman already held No. 8 in Pittsburgh, however he’ll now change to No. 3 based on ESPN’s Adam Schefter on X.
Sometimes gamers like Rodgers that ask for a quantity need to both pay or make a charitable contribution within the identify of the opposite participant. We are going to see if Rodgers did something for Waitman to wrestle away No. 8 from him. Although that quantity isn’t particular to Waitman as he’s worn three completely different numbers in his profession.
Waitman stepped in for the Steelers final season when Cameron Johnston went down with a season-ending knee harm in Week 1. Waitman had beforehand frolicked with the Steelers in 2021, however circled again and did an admirable job for them in 2024.
Johnston informed the media he’s 100% again and wholesome for this season. In keeping with The Pat McAfee Present’s Steelers beat author Mark Kaboly, he was “booming the hell out of the ball” at OTAs. Waitman might be on the surface trying in with the deal that Johnston signed final offseason, however they’ll nonetheless maintain a contest in coaching camp this summer time.
Previous to Waitman, the No. 3 jersey was worn by QB Russell Wilson final season and P Brad Wing earlier than him. The quantity hasn’t been issued that many instances in franchise historical past. Together with Wilson, Ok Jeff Reed is essentially the most notable former Steelers to put on the quantity.
In 2024, Waitman averaged 41.4 new yards per punt with 27 punts downed contained in the 20-yard line. His uncooked yards per punt was 46.4. That was a small enchancment over Pressley Harvin III in previous years, however nonetheless within the backside third of the league general. If he wins the competitors, Johnston has a superb likelihood of posting franchise information in each main punting statistic. He seemed phenomenal within the preseason earlier than the harm.
