Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers revealed quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ jersey number on Saturday, and it’s not the one he’s worn for most of his NFL career.
Rodgers will wear No. 8 with the Steelers for the 2025 season after officially signing his contract on Saturday. The same number that he wore during his time at the University of California and his two years with the New York Jets.
Steelers punter Corliss Waitman, who wore No. 8, will now wear No. 3, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. It’s likely that Waitman received a nice payday from Rodgers to give up No. 8.
Former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson was the last Steeler to wear No. 3.
No. 3 has been a popular special teams number in Steelers history, as former punters Mark Royals and Brad Wing and kickers Kris Brown and Jeff Reed once wore the digit.
The No. 8 jersey had belonged to Steelers punter Corliss Waitman, but no longer. Waitman now will wear No. 3, which last year belonged to Russell Wilson. https://t.co/iMoEGK89dt
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 7, 2025
Waitman has been a journeyman in his five-year career, playing with five different clubs. Last season was his third stint with the Steelers, and he took full advantage of the opportunity. He recorded a career-long 71-yard punt and 27 of his 65 punts pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line.
“Just experience,” Waitman said of his career year in 2024. “I feel if you’re in the league and you’re around a professional environment, I think the goal is to always grow. And if you don’t grow then obviously something is wrong and you might be replaced. I try to grow each and every year and become better. I hope I’m not the same punter I was my rookie year. I hope I’m a little better. .. I feel like I’m still growing and I’m still learning, that’s what I love about the game. You can always get better. You can always be more consistent.”
Waitman, who replaced Cameron Johnston after he suffered season-ending injury in Week 1, also played a big role as a holder for Chris Boswell. Waitman gave all the credit to Boz, though.
“Boz is the best kicker in the NFL. It’s really that simple,” Waitman said. “When you get to hold for a guy like that, it’s great because he’s just so good at what he does. He’s very transparent and very good at telling how he wants his holds and how he prepares. And not in my opinion, he is the best kicker in the league. That makes my job easy.”
Johnston, who signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Steelers last offseason, is expected to be the starting punter in 2025. He’s back and progressing well in his rehab.
“Feeling really good,” Johnston said following Wednesday’s OTAs practice . “Back out there practicing, punting fully. So yeah, feeling really good.
“It seems really, really good. We put a lot of work...
