(Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
The results of the NFL All-Pro ballots were revealed on Friday by the Associated Press, and two Steelers were selected. To no surprise, outside linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward were named first-team All-Pro. Watt was voted unanimously by a national panel of 50 media members. Watt was one of five players to be named unanimous.
Heyward had 10 sacks this season, which is the second time in his career that he's recorded double-digit sacks. Heyward's 68 career sacks ranks fifth in franchise history.
This is the third time in Heyward's career that he's been named first-team All-Pro (2017 and 2019). He was named second-team All-Pro in 2020. Heyward was also selected to the Pro Bowl for the fifth consecutive year.
Heyward received 19 All-Pro votes by the AP as an interior defensive linemen, which was second to Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who was a unanimous decision.
Watt tied the single-season sack record with Michael Strahan this season with 22.5 sacks. So, it was a no-brainer that he was named first-team All-Pro unanimously by the AP. Watt should also be a lock for Defensive Player of the Year, which is also voted on by the AP.
Watt is one of only two players in NFL history to have 20 plus sacks in 14 or fewer games since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. The only other one to do it was Hall of Famer Reggie White, who had 21 sacks in 12 games in 1987 in a strike-shortened season.
Watt was named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth consecutive season and was voted as the Steelers' MVP by his teammates for the third straight year. This is the third consecutive year that Watt's been named first-team All-Pro.
Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick received one All-Pro vote, as did Derek Watt as a special teamer. Miles Killebrew had three votes as a special teamer. Kicker Chris Boswell received no votes despite making 36 of 40 field goal attempts this season.