Steelers FS Minkah Fitzpatrick Named to First NFLPA Players’ All-Pro Team

Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has been named an 2022 NFLPA Players’ All-Pro as part of the the first players-only vote to determine an NFL post-season all-star team.

Only active players were eligible to vote for the season-long award, and players were not able to vote for themselves or their teammates. Players voted for position groups that they go up against, so tackles voted for defensive ends and cornerbacks voted for wide receivers.

The Associate Press NFL All-Pro team has traditionally been the standard for postseason player recognition and has been selected annually since the 1920s. The AP All-Pro selections are made by a choice panel of media members and former players and coaches. The Pro Football Writers Association, which is open to all media that covers the NFL on a regular basis, also selects an All-NFL team.

This year, the NFLPA wanted to create an award that for the players, by the players.

“Players compete against each other all season long, watching hours and hours of film week after week; and yet, we have never had an opportunity to truly use our expertise to select the best of us,” NFLPA President JC Tretter said in a press release. “We think it is important that players take the time to define ourselves, because so far, we have allowed everyone else to either pick or dilute our voices.”

Fitzpatrick had a stellar 2023 season, despite missing two games. He finished tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions. He also had 11 passes defended and was second on the Steelers with 96 tackles.

Two of Fitzpatrick’s interceptions and one of his pass break-ups came on game-deciding drives. He also blocked an extra point to keep the Steelers alive in what became a season-opening overtime win at Cincinnati.

“We be calling it that Minkah magic,” his Steelers safety partner, Terrell Edmunds said.

Fitzpatrick was also the only Steelers player selected to the Pro Football Focus All-Pro team. The AP and PFWA awards will come out later this offseason.

Full 2022 NFLPA Players’ All-Pro First Team

QB: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
RB: Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
FB: Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers
WR: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings; Davante Adams, Raiders
TE: Travis Kelce, Chiefs
LT: Trent Williams, 49ers
LG: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns
C: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
RG: Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
RT: Lane Johnson, Eagles

EDGE: Nick Bosa, 49ers; Myles Garrett, Browns
IDL: Chris Jones, Chiefs; Aaron Donals, Los Angeles Rams
NT: Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants
LB: Fred Warner, 49ers; Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
CB: Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos; Darius Slay, Eagles
FS: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers
SS: Derwin James Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

KR: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
PR: KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys
ST: Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders; Justin Hardee, New York Jets
K: Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks
P: Tommy Townsend, Chiefs
LS: Morgan Cox, Tennessee Titans