The Pittsburgh Steelers are nearing the end of a rollercoaster season, holding onto a faint hope of making the playoffs with two crucial games left. Fan voting via the NFL's website for the 2024 Pro Bowl ended on December 25th, and full rosters are likely to come out in January. Despite not having the greatest of seasons, Pittsburgh still has some players who are deserving candidates for a nomination to the league's annual all-star game.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith pushes off a tackler during his interception return against the Cleveland Browns during Week 2 of 2023.
The 2024 edition of the Pro Bowl Games is on February 4th at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL. Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cam Heyward were the lone representatives for Pittsburgh at 2023's all-star competition, but injuries this year likely mean that neither will be back. TJ Watt was also named to the team for the AFC, but had to miss it due to injury. Watt should be a lock to get a nomination to go to Orlando in February.
Three Steelers Who Could Add A 2023-24 Pro Bowl To Their Resume
1. TJ Watt
After he was plagued by a pectoral injury that limited him to 10 games last season, Watt has bounced back like the force everyone who follows the NFL knows he can be. Watt is currently leading the NFL with 17 sacks and has a chance to lead the league in quarterback takedowns for the third time in four seasons.
The seven-year veteran has added four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, with one for a touchdown, and an interception. He is also tied for the league lead in quarterback hits with San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa with 33, and is tied for fifth in tackles for a loss with Cleveland Browns defensive end, Myles Garrett. This would be Watt's sixth consecutive Pro Bowl nomination.
Sebastian Foltz / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt rumbles toward the end zone during the Steelers' 2023 Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns.
2. Alex Highsmith
Watt's pattern in crime, Alex Highsmith is also well deserving of a spot on the AFC's 2024 roster. While he doesn't necessarily have the eye-popping stats like Watt, his impact has been almost as noticeable. The 2020 third-round pick had a breakout year in 2022 with Watt sidelined and put up 14.5 sacks, while leading the league in forced fumbles with 5. Despite his strong statistical profile in 2022, he was passed up by voters to earn a spot at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.
His stat line in 2023 isn't as impressive as he has only seven sacks through 15 games and has two forced fumbles. He's collected a pair of interceptions, including a pick-six to open the scoring in Pittsburgh's Week 2 victory over the Browns. Highsmith should get his first Pro Bowl nomination if voters can look past the numbers and pay attention to the impact on the field.
3. Chris Boswell
Kicker Chris Boswell struggled in 2022. He finished the season 71.4% on field goals for the season, which was his worst finish in a season since his awful 2018 year when he dropped to 65%. The veteran has rebounded making 92.6% of field goals in 2023.
Matt Durisko / AP Photo
Steelers kicker Chris Boswell looks on after making a 50-yard field goal against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 16 of 2023.
The Steelers had lined up to try a 56-yard attempt to send the team to the locker room trailing 9-6 against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8, but a penalty against guard Isaac Seumalo for offensive offside pushed it back to a 61-yard try. On a rainy day in Pittsburgh, Boswell couldn't beat his career-best of 59 yards. He has one missed extra point in 2023 and another lone missed field goal against the Arizona Cardinals.
Boswell has some stiff competition among AFC kickers to earn the nomination. He currently sits fifth in the conference behind Greg Zuerlein of the New York Jets, Nick Folk of the Tennessee Titans, Cameron Dicker of the Los Angeles Chargers, and Kai'imi Fairburn of the Houston Texans in field goal percentage. Fairburn suffered a quad injury that landed him on injured reserve for four weeks, but has since returned.
The one advantage for Boswell over the group is that Pittsburgh is in a better playoff position than the Jets, Titans, or Chargers, and he hasn't missed any games. It would be his second nomination to the league's annual all-star celebration.
Do you agree with these picks for the 2024 Pro Bowl? Is there anyone else you think is worthy of a selection? Comment below!
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