The NFL Pro Bowl is a yearly event aimed at getting the best players in the league together as a way of awarding the most deserving players and the fans who watch them. While the Pro Bowl has transformed into a a series of 'Pro Bowl games' in recent years, the honor to make the list still remains.
In years past, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had large groups of representatives when it comes to the Pro Bowl. This year, however, just three players were voted in: T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Miles Killebrew.
While there are certainly more talented teams than Pittsburgh this year, there are several Steelers deserving players who made a strong case for the Pro Bowl this year but weren't able to crack the AFC Pro Bowl roster.
Honorable mention: Alex Highsmith
This wasn't Alex Highsmith's most productive season, but it doesn't mean that it wasn't his best to date. Despite a dip in the sack column (Highsmith compiled 14.5 sacks last season), the overall play of the Steelers pass rusher has been more consistent and better on film.
Highsmith also came up with clutch plays that proved to be game-changers this year, like a key interception of the middle of the field, the pick-six against the Browns early in the season, and timely sacks to put the game on ice.
If stats weren't considered, Highsmith might be the second most deserving player for Pro Bowl honors on this team (outside of T.J. Watt), but it's hard to argue with the recipients in the AFC this year. Among defensive ends and outside linebackers, Watt, Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson, Khalil Mack, and Josh Allen each made the Pro Bowl this year. All of these players were excellent in 2023 and boasted outstanding production.