Several Steelers players were recently named to the Associated Press All-Pro team, and today the offseason honors continued when the Pro Football Writers of America announced their 2020 All-NFL and All-AFC teams.
Two Steelers were named to the All-NFL team, as well as the All-AFC team, and it comes as no surprise that it was safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt, as both of them were first-team Associated Press All-Pro this year.
Fitzpatrick led the Steelers in tackles with 79, and also had 11 pass defenses, four interceptions – including one returned for a touchdown against Cleveland in Week 6, one tackle for a loss, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He finished the season tied for seventh in the NFL in interceptions.
"He's just a ball hawk, he's very instinctive, very smart, reads a quarterback well," said Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
Watt, the Steelers 2020 MVP, finished the regular season leading the league in sacks, with 15, tackles for a loss with 23, and quarterback hits with 41. He is the third player in the NFL to record at least 15 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 40 quarterback hits in the last 15 seasons. Watt's older brother, Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (2012, 2014 and 2015) and Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (2018) also accomplished the feat and won NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
"T.J. is visiting from another planet, to be quite honest with you," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "He has freakishly unique talent coupled with freakishly unique work habits and mindset, and it produces what you guys witness every week, which in my opinion, is Defensive Player of the Year quality."
