Leader.

It is someone who brings tangible and intangible qualities to a group.

They motivate others, they inspire others, and they set an example for others.

Coach Mike Tomlin is someone who strongly values leadership in the Steelers locker room, and over the years those values have been present.

It's the same this year as the Steelers selected their 2025 team captains based on those values.

Steelers' players voted, and this year's team captains are quarterback Aaron Rodgers on offense, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and linebacker T.J. Watt on defense and safety Miles Killebrew on special teams.

Rodgers, who was signed this offseason, is obviously a Steelers captain for the first time, but it's not the first time in that role. This is the 15th time in his career Rodgers has been selected as a team captain. He was a team captain 12 of his 18 years in Green Bay and the last two years with the New York Jets.

Heyward, who is in his 15th season, is a defensive captain for the 11th consecutive year, 2015-25. Only Ben Roethlisberger has been voted a Steelers captain more times than Heyward, with Roethlisberger receiving the honor 13 times. Heyward tied Sam Davis for second in team history, with both players selected captain 11 times in their careers.

Watt is a defensive captain for the fifth time in his career. Watt was also captain in 2020 and 2022-24.

This is the fourth time Killebrew was selected as special teams captain, previously earning the honor from 2022-24.

The following are the Steelers' team captains who have been selected during head coach Mike Tomlin's tenure (since 2007):