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3 Steelers One-Hit Wonders We Wish Hadn't Disappeared

By Max Bevington

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had many one-hit wonder players, including former running back Barry Foster.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had many one-hit wonder players, including former running back Barry Foster. / George Gojkovich/Getty Images

Like all other NFL teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had their fair share of one-hit wonder players who produced one shining season, and then were never the same afterwards. Although the Steelers are one of the most successful franchises in NFL history, and have a large number of legendary players, there are still players who wore the black and gold who we wish would have had a long career after showing flashes of brilliance.

3. Barry Foster

Running back Barry Foster put out great numbers in the 1992 season, but never was the same caliber player afterwards.
Running back Barry Foster put out great numbers in the 1992 season, but never was the same caliber player afterwards. / Rick Stewart/Getty Images

The former Arkansas Razorback was entering his third year with the Steelers in 1992 and had not previously put up any fantastic numbers. That all changed in Foster's 1992 regular season where he burst onto the scene, rushing for 1,690 yards and 11 touchdowns. Foster was selected to the Pro Bowl for his performance that year. Sadly, Foster was never the same post-1992 and only played two more seasons in Pittsburgh.

2. Troy Edwards

Wide receiver Troy Edwards turned a lot of heads his rookie season, but never produced at the same level later in his career.
Wide receiver Troy Edwards turned a lot of heads his rookie season, but never produced at the same level later in his career. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Wide receiver Troy Edwards was drafted out of Louisiana Tech by the Steelers with their first-round pick in the 1999 NFL Draft. In Edwards' rookie season, he had an amazing performance, catching 61 passes for 714 yards and five touchdowns. It seemed as if the Steelers had found another great receiver that would go down in history with the likes of Lynn Swann. Unfortunately, Edwards never repeated the production of his rookie season and left the Steel City after only three seasons.

1. Mike Kruczek

Quarterback Mike Kruczek impressed in his rookie season, going 6-0 while filling in for an injured Terry Bradshaw, but never impressed afterwards.
Quarterback Mike Kruczek impressed in his rookie season, going 6-0 while filling in for an injured Terry Bradshaw, but never impressed afterwards. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Mike Kruczek was picked up in the second round by Pittsburgh in the 1976 NFL Draft. Like Edwards, Kruczek's moment of glory came in his rookie season. During the 1976 season, Kruczek was forced under center to fill in for an injured Terry Bradshaw. During this stretch, Kruczek ended up starting six games and won all six. Although he never threw a touchdown pass during this stretch, he seemed like a capable backup who, one day, might be the franchise quarterback after Bradshaw retired. Ultimately, that was not the case, as Kruczek decided to call it quits in 1980.