Najee Harris, Diontae Johnson Named to Pro Bowl to Replace Bengals Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Mixon

Heading into Sunday, the Steelers only had two Pro  Bowl players. Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt were not only Pro Bowlers for the Steelers, but also All-Pro selections. However, after Sunday, the Steelers have doubled their total Pro Bowlers on the year after the Bengals defeated the Chiefs.

With the Bengals win, star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and standout running back Joe Mixon is not going to be able to play in the game. Selected as their replacements were the Steelers’ rookie running back Najee Harris and top receiver Diontae Johnson. It is the first career selection for both.

Johnson finally got the breakout season he was looking for. On top of his newly minted pro bowl selection, Johnson put up his first 1000 yard season as well, finishing with 1,161 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns overall. He also registered 107 receptions after being Ben Roethlisberger’s most trusted target.

Harris’ rookie season was one marred by volume and he took a beating. Ending the season with 1,200 rushing yards and another 467 receiving yards, Harris’ yards from scrimmage were among the top in the NFL. While there are plenty of deserving candidates, it makes sense that Harris would get the nod.

It should be the first of many for Harris. If Johnson continues his upward trajectory, he can see himself being a Pro Bowl selection more than once from here on out as well.