Two Steelers Players Receive All-Pro Honors from NFLPA
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell and special teams ace Miles Killebrew received first-team All-Pro honors from the NFL Players Association. Those who made it were selected strictly by NFL players themselves.
The Associated Press first-team All-Pro list, which is considered the official one, is expected to come out soon. Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward and outside linebacker T.J. Watt were surprisingly omitted from the NFL Players Association All-Pro list.
Last Thursday, it was announced that Boswell received Pro Bowl honors. It’s the second time in Boswell’s career that he’s accomplished that feat. The other time was in 2017.
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.
“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.”
The performance against Baltimore marked the third time in Boswell’s career that he made six fields goals, which is the most in NFL history. Boswell also has a six field goal game in the playoffs, an 18-16 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 Divisional Round Game
Boswell joined John Carney (1993) as the only kickers ever with six made FGs in multiple games within a season. Boswell also went 6 of 6 in the Steelers’ 18-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1.
“What can you say about Chris Boswell in 2024 that hadn’t been written or said,” Tomlin said. “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, who was 41 of 44 on field goal attempts in 2024, nearly broke an NFL single-season record. The record is 44 field goals, set by San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers in 2011.
Boswell was clutch for the Steelers this season, converting on 13 of 15 field goal attempts from 50+ yards. Hes also was 35 of 35 on extra points this year. With those kind of numbers, it’s safe to say that Boswell will be named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press.
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. His peers obviously consider him as one of the best special teams players in the league.
Heyward has been on a tear this season. Along with leading all DTs with 71 tackles, Heyward has eight sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 11 pass defended. The last player who recorded 8+ sacks, 10+ TFL and 8+ pass defenses through their first 13 games of a season was J.J. Watt in 2014.
J.J. Watt was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, which is why it’s pretty head-scratching that Heyward is not being considered for DPOY, in addition to being left off the All-Pro list by the NFLPA.
In addition to his league-best six forced fumbles, T.J. Watt finished the season with 61 tackles (40 solos), 11.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 27 quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries. Out of Watt’s six forced fumbles, three were strip sacks.
Watt is no longer the favorite to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He’s been supplanted by Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II (-140), according to the latest odds posted at BetMGM. Cleveland Browns defensive end Garrett has +1600 odds to win DPOY, which is fourth-best, behind Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (+2500), Watt (+180) and Surtain.
Watt suffered a left low ankle sprain late in the team’s Week 15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He did not return to the game, and had X-rays that revealed no fracture. He was active for the last three games, but he did not recorded a single sack and was rather quiet overall.
It appears that the combination of Watt’s ankle and thumb injury has significantly hindered his ability to rush the passer.
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