The Steelers six most likely Pro Bowlers for the 2021 season

Steelers Stephon Tuitt

When thinking of the defensive line and the Steelers, the first Pro Bowl name that comes up is Cameron Heyward. While Heyward is certainly a stalwart on the line, the best player was Stephon Tuitt last season. That isn’t a knock on Heyward or Alualu either but is instead just proof of how great Tuitt was last season.

He posted a career-high number of sacks last season with 11, but that doesn’t tell half of the tape. He took over at times during games and was nearly unblockable. While he benefited from the talent of the entire line, he was consistently seen shoving his way through opposing lines and wreaking havoc in the backfield. Better yet, he just turned 28, meaning that he has a few more years left in the prime of his career to better these stats.

The biggest question with him is his health, as last season was by far his healthiest. That said, what may be the biggest challenge to get over is him being listed as a defensive end. Since 4-3 teams list edge rushers as their ends, Tuitt will be overshadowed by players who essentially play a different position than he does. If the Pro Bowl begins to recognize the difference, then Tuitt should instantly be recognized as a Pro Bowl player. If the league continues to categorize players as they have though, he may continue to go unrecognized despite his dominant play.