Countdown to kickoff: 25 days until Pittsburgh faces the Jets at MetLife and the No. 25 jersey sits at the center of the spotlight. DeShon Elliott is the current No. 25 wearer for the Steelers, signed on a two-year deal in 2024 and already making an impact as one of the team's top tacklers on run defense. The No. 25 lineage on Pittsburgh runs back to a handful of notable safeties since 2020: Elliott (2024–present), Desmond King (2023), Eric Rowe (2023), Ahkello Witherspoon (2021–2022), and Antoine Brooks Jr. (2020).

Arguably the most storied No. 25 in Steelers lore is Ryan Clark, whose hard-hitting eight-year run helped anchor a feared defense that celebrated a Super Bowl XLIII victory. Clark earned a lone Pro Bowl nod in 2011 and remains a touchstone for the franchise’s identity in this jersey’s history. The piece ties the No. 25 thread to the present day, underscoring Elliott’s role as a potential catalyst for a defense aiming at a deep playoff run in 2025.

For fantasy anglers, Elliott’s presence bolsters the Steelers’ safety floor, with upside for tackles and occasional big plays in a defense that thrives on pressure and turnover opportunities. The No. 25 history also hints at burst potential from other safeties who wore the number in shorter stints, reminding managers to monitor back-end depth that can create weekly streaming options.

As the Jets game nears, the No. 25 tradition is more than a backstory; it signals a defense built on physical play and versatility at safety. That legacy could translate to meaningful fantasy signals in the right matchups, especially against teams that deploy heavy run games or frequent deep shots, making the No. 25 lineage a quiet edge for savvy rosters.