For the 24th consecutive season the Steelers are sending multiple players to the Pro Bowl Games, and it's the 33rd time in the last 36 seasons they are doing so.
Four players will represent the black and gold as kicker Chris Boswell, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and linebacker T.J. Watt were voted to the Pro Bowl Games, with all of them selected as starters.
Boswell, who is making his second Pro Bowl appearance and his first since 2017, connected on an NFL high 40 of 43 field goal attempts this season (93%). He has also been perfect on 33 extra point attempts. He has made 12 field goals of 50 or more yards this season.
"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.
Fitzpatrick was selected to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in his career.
He has started all 16 games this season, recording 93 tackles, including 60 solo stops. He has four passes defensed, an interception, which he returned 25 yards against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, and a forced fumble.
Fitzpatrick, who was traded to the Steelers in 2019, is a player many describe as a perfectionist, always looking to master whatever task is in front of him.
"A lot of us want to be really good at what we do," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "Minkah, he is a perfectionist. He is always searching for perfection, and it doesn't matter what it is. It doesn't matter if you were playing him in checkers, he is going to try and be perfect and beat you every time. If you are playing golf, and he never golfed, he will try and beat you. That is just how he is wired. That makes him a little different."
Heyward was selected to the Pro Bowl Games for the seventh time in his career, previously doing so six straight years from 2017-22. He also has been a team captain for 10 straight years.
Heyward is having one of his most consistent seasons in 2024, remaining healthy and starting 16 games so far.
Heyward has recorded 70 tackles, 35 of them solo stops, eight sacks, 12 tackles for a loss and eight passes defensed.
"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 five times, does nothing but continue to impress season in and season out, and this year has been no exception as he was selected to the Pro Bowl Games for the seventh time.
Watt has been the glue that has held the defense together, starting all 16 games. He has 61 tackles, 40 of them solo stops. He has 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 (5th), fumble recoveries (t-6th), sacks (t-4th) 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."
The traditional Pro Bowl game has been replaced by the Pro Bowl Games, which will culminate with an AFC vs. NFC Flag Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, February 2.
Leading into the game there will be skill competitions, giving fans a fun look at all of the league's top players.
"The Pro Bowl Games presented by Verizon celebrates the biggest stars in the NFL in a format that's fun, competitive and accessible to fans -- with flag football at its core. The players helped create this new format two years ago, and each year we add new elements and surprises. We're thrilled to bring this multi-day, all-star event back to Orlando, which has established itself as a beloved destination for our players, their families and NFL fans from around the country and the world," said Peter O'Reilly, NFL executive vice president of events, club business. "Orlando has a history of hosting many successful Pro Bowls, and we look forward to partnering with the city, the county and Florida Citrus Sports once again to raise the bar on our all-star celebration for our players, their families and our fans."
