The 2022 season is still months away, but the Pittsburgh Steelers will look like a different team after an off-season of change. The Steelers have seen veteran quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger retire, three fresh faces to the quarterback room added, an upgrade at linebacker with Myles Jack, a new return man in Gunner Olszewski, and plenty more. At the end of the day, fresh faces are great, but what Steeler fans everywhere care about is production.
Accolades at season's end are a great way to measure a player's contributions. Let's dive in and predict which players will be selected to the Pro Bowl in 2022. Here's to hoping none of these guys play because Super Bowl LVII is on the horizon.
1.) T.J. Watt
Barring injury, Watt is a lock to make the Pro Bowl. We know he is hungry for an even more productive season after an incredible 2021 campaign when he was voted AP Defensive Player of the Year. He is simply too good not to be considered one of, if not, the best edge rusher in the NFL. Don't be surprised if Watt surpasses 20 sacks again in 2022.
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2.) Cameron Heyward
Heyward has gotten better every year and I don't expect that to change this season. The defensive lineman is 33 years old, but age is but a number for this big man. Last season was his best as a pro and he played all 17 games. 10 sacks to pair with 89 tackles and 15 tackles for loss is no joke. Heyward remains underrated throughout the NFL fanbase, but is one of the best defensive lineman in today's game.
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3.) Diontae Johnson
The Steelers wide receiver makes the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row after a season of 107 catches, 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns. Fans get on Johnson for his drops, but he has improved each year and that will continue. He is still working towards a lucrative contract and with Minkah Fitzpatrick possibly getting an extension this summer, Johnson's 2022 performance could lead to a big pay day next year. He is the clear cut #1 receiver for the organization and proving that with rookies George Pickens and Calvin Austin III on the team will solidify his position on the team's roster.
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4.) Minkah Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick is going to get paid during training camp and he is going to play like it. He has been an important piece to an always improving defense the last few years. Fitzpatrick is one of the best safeties in football and even though the Steelers will have to pay a pretty penny, the two-time All-Pro is deserving of an extension and a lucrative one at that. He has 11 interceptions since 2019 and missed out on the Pro Bowl in 2021. He will be determined to be a Pro Bowler again and show Pittsburgh he is worth the price the organization paid.
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5.) Najee Harris
If he made it his rookie season with a struggling offensive line, he has to again right? Harris rushed for 1,200 yards in his first year and the offensive line has improved throughout free agency. The quarterback situation has also changed and Harris is a workhorse who is poised to get better. Head Coach, Mike Tomlin should push for the signing of a veteran running back to ease Harris' workload, but regardless of the depth chart, Harris will run hard and put up numbers to reach a second consecutive Pro Bowl selection.
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Honorable Mention: Chris Boswell
Boswell is good. Nevermind, he is really good. He, unfortunately, plays in the same conference as Justin Tucker who the voters love, understandably. Boswell has been almost automatic and an unsung hero for the Steelers the last few years. Let's hope Tucker misses a couple field goals against the Steelers and Boswell gets the nod.
Darkhorse: Gunner Olszewski
The Steelers have been waiting for a dynamic return man for a while. Olszewski was an All-Pro back in 2020 and could turn into a huge signing for the team that has struggled in the field position category the last handful of seasons. If Olszewski performs this season, it could make a huge, not very appreciated, difference throughout the year.
Who do you think will make the Pro Bowl for the Steelers in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!
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