Multiple Ex-Steelers To Participate In Super Bowl

Former Pittsburgh players will be on the field for the big game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 8:15am

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Several former Pittsburgh Steelers players, including Mike Vrabel, Joshua Dobbs, Robert Spillane, and Cody White, will be participating in this year's Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

Why it matters

The Steelers are one of the most successful NFL franchises, so it's notable that multiple former players from the team have gone on to play key roles with the Super Bowl contenders. This highlights the talent pipeline the Steelers have developed over the years.

The details

Mike Vrabel, a linebacker drafted by the Steelers in 1997, is now the head coach of the Patriots. Joshua Dobbs, a fourth-round pick by the Steelers in 2017, is the Patriots' backup quarterback. Robert Spillane, who spent 2019-2022 with the Steelers, is a Patriots linebacker. And Cody White, who was on the Steelers roster from 2020-2022, is now a wide receiver for the Seahawks.

  • The Super Bowl will be played on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Mike Vrabel

A linebacker drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1997, Vrabel played four seasons with the team before going on to win three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots as a player. He is now in his first season as the Patriots' head coach.

Joshua Dobbs

The Steelers selected Dobbs in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and he spent his rookie season on the bench behind Ben Roethlisberger and Landry Jones. Dobbs has since played for several teams, including the Jaguars, Browns, and now the Patriots as their backup quarterback.

Robert Spillane

After playing for the Tennessee Titans in 2018, Spillane signed with the Steelers in 2019 and stayed with the team through 2022. He also played for the Raiders before signing with the Patriots in 2025, where he is now a linebacker.

Cody White

Wide receiver Cody White was on the Steelers roster from 2020-2022 before signing with the Seahawks, where he will play in the Super Bowl.

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What they’re saying

“The Steelers got whacked in the first round of the NFL playoffs this season, but the team will still have a presence at Sunday's Super Bowl.”

— Eric Heyl, Author (patch.com)

What’s next

The Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will be played on Sunday, February 9, 2026.

The takeaway

The Steelers' pipeline of talent continues to produce players who go on to have success at the highest level of the NFL, even if they are no longer with the team. This speaks to the organization's ability to identify and develop top-tier football talent.