Steelers DT Cam Heyward Takes Lead in Pro Bowl Voting
Pittsburgh Steelers defesnive tackle Cam Heyward has taken the lead in the AFC Pro Bowl voting at his position, the NFL announced in a press release on Monday.
Heyward, 35, is having one of the best seasons of his career after an injury-plagued 2023 season. Through 13 games, he has eight sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 19 quarterback hits and eight passes defended. He’s on pace for the fourth 10-sack season of his career.
Heyward has been a Pro Bowler six times before, participating every season from 2017-22 before missing last season, when a groin tear and core muscle surgery forced him to miss six games, and he returned far before he was 100%.
Heyward had trailed New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams in the first update of voting trends from the league.
His presence among the leaders fives the Steelers four leaders at their respective positions in the current voting, with Heyward joining outside linebacker T.J. Watt, kicker Chris Boswell and special teamer Miles Killebrew in the AFC Pro Bowl vote, which opened up two weeks ago.
Watt, the favorite to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, has a league-best five forced fumbles. Out of Watt’s five forced fumbles, three were strip sacks. He also tied James Harrison for second place in franchise history with 32 strip sacks. Greg Lloyd has the record with 33.
Boswell was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week twice this season (Week 1 and Week 11). He was also named AFC Special Teams Player of the Month in September and October. He’s well on his way to being a first-team All-Pro.
“I love Boz, and I’m tired of him getting player of the week,” joked Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin after Boswell went 6 of 6 in the Steelers’ 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 11. “He’ll probably get player of the week again this week. He is deserving of it, but it reminds us of our warts. It reminds us of the work that we need to do. But no doubt I’m thankful that he’s on our team.”
Killebrew, who earned first-team All-Pro honors on special teams last year, was named a special team captain for a third straight year in 2024. Compared to last year, he hasn’t made as many splash plays, but he’s still one of the best special teams players in the league.
For the second consecutive year, the NFL will return to Orlando for the Pro Bowl Games this coming February.
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