The Steelers finished their 2019 season at 8-8 and out of the playoffs — and it would've been much worse if not for their stellar defense.
The team finished fifth in yards-per-game allowed (304.1), fifth in points-per-game allowed (18.9), first in sacks (54), second in interceptions (20) and second in forced fumbles (22), good for a plus-eight turnover differential despite some horrific quarterback play (multiple four-interception games, anyone?) down the stretch.
Now, the Associated Press has recognized the play of some crucial pieces to that defense, as T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cam Heyward were all named first-team All-Pro on Friday.
Watt and Fitzpatrick come as no surprise, as they impacted games with splash aplenty, but Heyward's comparatively quiet season received its due here.
He finished with a career-high 83 tackles (51 solo), 11 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, a forced fumble, six passes defended and tied for a career-best with 22 quarterback hits. More than that, Heyward served as a much-needed veteran presence during a tumultuous, injury-plagued season for the team.
Heyward also took home "The Chief Award" from Pittsburgh's chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America for his cooperation with the media.
Watt, meanwhile, might just win Defensive Player of the Year.
He tied for fourth in the NFL with 14.5 sacks, tied for first with eight forced fumbles, tied for second with four fumble recoveries and added two interceptions, becoming the first Steelers player in franchise history to register back-to-back 13-sack seasons in the process.
It got to the point where you just expected him to do something like this:
... or this:
... every time he touched the field. For those who watched the Steelers every week, Watt's first-team All-Pro selection is the least surprising of the three.
The final first-team pick, Fitzpatrick, finished with 68 tackles (43 solo), a tackle for a loss, a quarterback hit, five interceptions, nine passes defended, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two touchdowns, including this crucial 96-yard pick-six in a two-point win over the Colts at Heinz Field:
MINKAH FITZPATRICK: 96-YARD PICK 6!
3 INTs in the last 6 days ? @minkfitz_21 #INDvsPIT
?: CBS
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app
Watch free on mobile: https://t.co/GjhTr4sGG6 pic.twitter.com/aEfxFO842N
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2019
The Steelers acquired Fitzpatrick prior to their Week 3 showdown vs. the 49ers, giving up a first-round pick as well as two later picks in the process. While many initially complained that the Steelers gave up too much to bring Fitzpatrick to Pittsburgh, those critics were soon silenced, as he registered an interception, a forced fumble and five tackles in his first appearance before piecing together a bulletproof season overall.
The Steelers had one final All-Pro selection, as well. Rookie Diontae Johnson earned second-team honors as a punt returner. Johnson led the league with a 12.4 yards-per-return average on 20 attempts, while also registering the longest of the season with an 85-yard touchdown against the Cardinals:
Here are the full AP first- and second-team All-Pro selections:
AP First Team All-Pro: pic.twitter.com/CIs9Wzc3Sj
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 3, 2020
AP Second Team All-Pro: pic.twitter.com/EA8djkg1KJ
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) January 3, 2020
