Multiple Steelers players earned one of the NFL's highest honors when they were selected to the Associated Press All-Pro team today.
Steelers kicker Chris Boswell and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward were named First-Team AP All-Pro, while linebacker T.J. Watt was named Second-Team AP All-Pro.
Boswell, who was also selected to the NFLPA Players' All-Pro team and the Pro Bowl Games, was voted to the AP All-Pro team for the first time in his career.
He connected on an NFL high 41 of 44 field goal attempts this season (93.2%). He was also perfect on 35 extra point attempts. He made 13 field goals of 50 or more yards this season. He also led the NFL in points by a kicker (158) and field goal percentage (93.2, min. 35 FGA), and ranked second in field goals attempted (44) in 2024.
Boswell set a Steelers record for 41 field goals made, which were the most by a kicker in the NFL since David Akers in 2011 (44) and second-most by a kicker since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Boswell also set a Steelers record for most points by a kicker with 158, which was tied for the fifth-most by a kicker since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
"What can you say about Chris Boswell in 2024 that hadn't been written or said," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "He's been everything that we need him to be. He is performing at an extremely high level and we're extremely comfortable in calling upon him in just about any circumstances. It's just been special.
"And to do what he's done, obviously with a change at holder in the middle of the thing, is doubly impressive."
Boswell was named the AFC Special teams Player of the Week for his Week 11 performance when he accounted for all the scoring in the Steelers 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens, hitting on six field goals, including three from 50 plus yards. Boswell became the first Steelers kicker to hit three field goals of 50 plus yards when he did so against the Falcons, and now is the only player to have done it twice as well.
Boswell also won AFC Special teams Player of the Week in Week 1 against the Falcons, and AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in September and October.
Heyward, who was selected to the Pro Bowl Games, has made the AP All-Pro team for the fifth time in his career, including first-team a total of four times and second-team once. He joins Hall of Famer Joe Greene as the only interior defensive linemen in Steelers history to be voted First-Team AP All-Pro four times.
He had one of his most consistent seasons in 2024, remaining healthy and starting all 17 games.
Heyward recorded 71 tackles, 35 of them solo stops, eight sacks, 12 tackles for a loss, 19 quarterback hits and 11 passes defensed in 2024.
Heyward ranked first among defensive tackles in the NFL in passes defensed (11), tied for second in tackles for a loss (12) and quarterback hits (19) and third in tackles (70) and sacks (8), the only defensive tackle in the NFL to rank in the top three in each category.
"Cam's a heck of a player," said outside linebacker T.J. Watt. "No surprises out of all of us in this locker room because I've seen how much he's worked since I walked in the door here, and I think he's having a heck of a season.
"It seems like he's like wine and he gets better with age."
Heyward turned 35 last May, the second oldest player in the Steelers locker room, behind only quarterback Russell Wilson, who turned 36 in November.
He has heard the jokes from Coach Mike Tomlin, referring to him as the 'old man.' It motivates the heck out of him, gives him a little chip on his shoulder that pushes him every day.
"I love having the chip on my shoulder," said Heyward. "I play my best ball when I feel like everybody's against me and everybody's counting me out."
Watt, who was voted the Steelers Most Valuable Player for a record fifth time this year and also selected to the Pro Bowl Games, was selected AP All-Pro for the fifth time in his career, four times first-team and this year second-team.
Watt started all 17 games, finishing with 61 tackles, 40 of them solo stops. He had 11.5 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss, 27 quarterback hits, six forced fumbles, four passes defensed, three strip sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He is the only player in the NFL that ranks among the top six in the League in strip sacks (t-1st), forced fumbles (1st), quarterback hits (6th), fumble recoveries (t-7th), sacks (8th) and tackles for loss (2nd) in 2024.
His relentless approach is on display in everything he does, something that doesn't go unnoticed.
"No question he is relentless," said Tomlin. "He's not hungry. Hunger can be satisfied.
"He's driven. You feel it in everything that he does."
Watt recorded his 100th career sack against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 5 of this season, on a night he accounted for one and a half sacks.
Watt became the second fastest player to reach 100 career sacks, doing it in 109 career games. Only Hall of Famer Reggie White did it faster, reaching the 100-sack mark in 96 games. Watt is also one of only three players to reach 100 career sacks before the age of 30. He is the Steelers all-time sack leader with 108 career sacks, third-most in NFL history by a player in their first eight seasons in the NFL.
"You have to put two guys on this man," said Hall of Fame Coach Bill Cowher. "You have to throw some screens early, some draws early just to slow him down and give him something to think about. He can wreak havoc in a game. He is that type of player.
"He is a defensive player of the year candidate. He is a guy that can change a game. He is a first ballot Hall of Fame player. Those are guys you have to game plan for."
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