What do Mason McCormick and Tony Hills have in common? They are the only players the Steelers have given no. 66 to since Alan Faneca left the team in free agency other than David DeCastro. Hills didn’t exactly work out in Pittsburgh—but one wonders if the Steelers gave him 66 out of spite.
Faneca just left in free agency when the Steelers drafted Hills in the fourth round in 2008. Had his departure been more amicable, perhaps 66 would be one of those numbers they have “soft” retired. But I think we can make the case that, since then, they have used discretion in handing out the number.