Add one more representative to the Pro Bowl from the Pittsburgh Steelers this year. Here’s why Cameron Heyward is replacing Chris Jones.
When the AFC Pro Bowl rosters were initially announced back on December 21st, Cameron Heyward did not make the cut. In the second half of his NFL career, Heyward emerged as one of the top players at his position and has made the Pro Bowl in five straight seasons from 2017 to 2021.
While many believed he was snubbed this year, it was hard to argue with the names ahead of him on the list as Chris Jones, Quinnen Williams, and Jeffrey Simmons each had spectacular seasons. However, fans who were disappointed are now getting their wish.
With Jones backing out of the Pro Bowl as the Kansas City Chiefs prepare for the Super Bowl against the Philadelphia Eagles, a spot in the Pro Bowl games just opened up. This had Cameron Heyward’s name written all over it. On January 31st, the team announced that Heyward would be suiting up as a Pro Bowl alternate this year.
.@CamHeyward has been named to the Pro Bowl Games‼️
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 31, 2023
He'll replace Chiefs DT Chris Jones.
📝: https://t.co/n45hpTmirM pic.twitter.com/IWhUixbRVU
Steelers Cameron Heyward deserving of the Pro Bowl once again
After a relatively slow start to the season, Heyward really turned things on following the bye week. This is where most of his production came from, and it didn’t hurt that T.J. Watt was back on the field to help alleviate pressure.
Heyward finished the 2022 season with 74 combined tackles, 10.5 sacks, 14 tackles for a loss, and an impressive 22 quarterback hits, according to ESPN stats. In terms of raw numbers, this was on par with all three of the All-Pro seasons he has had in his career.
Despite being a former first-round pick, Heyward didn’t earn his first Pro Bowl until his seventh NFL season. Since then, he has been as good and consistent as any interior defender not named Aaron Donald.
Though being a Pro Bowl alternate doesn’t quite have the same feel, there’s no doubt the Pittsburgh Steelers stud defender was deserving of this recognition. With a few more strong seasons, Heyward could find himself in the Hall of Fame one day. Let’s hope he keeps up at this pace heading into his mid-thirties.