The accolades keep coming for Minkah Fitzpatrick. And now, Alex Highsmith joins the fun as well.
The Pro Football Writers of America announced on Monday the All-NFL, All-AFC and All-NFC teams for the 2022 season, and Fitzpatrick was the only Steelers player named to the All-NFL team. However, Highsmith was recognized for his performance by being named to the All-AFC team.
In his fifth NFL season, Fitzpatrick finished in a four-way tie for the league lead with six interceptions. He also tallied 96 tackles, 11 passes defended and a touchdown on the very first pass the Steelers' defense saw this season. He played in 15 games this season, missing only two games due to a knee injury suffered in Week 5 and an appendectomy the day before the Week 10 win over the Saints.
Fitzpatrick played a key role in the Steelers' defense finishing in a tie with the 49ers for the NFL lead with 20 interceptions. He is also the first Steeler to lead the NFL in interceptions since Mel Blount did it in 1975 (11).
Fitzpatrick was voted by his teammates as the Steelers' Most Valuable Player, earned his third Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro selections and was voted by players around the league as one of two safeties on the NFLPA's inaugural All-Pro team. This is the third time Fitzpatrick has been named to the PFWA All-NFL team.
Highsmith enjoyed a highly productive season, which was desperately needed with 2021 Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt missing seven games due to a pectoral tear and played several games after his return at less than 100 percent.
In his third season, Highsmith recorded 63 tackles, ranked sixth in the NFL with 14.5 sacks and tied for the league lead with five forced fumbles. In his first two season, Highsmith had a combined eight sacks and one forced fumble. However, Highsmith barely made the cut for the All-AFC team as he finished in a tie with Bills' outside linebacker Matt Milano.
With one year left on his rookie deal, a contract extension for Highsmith will likely be in Omar Khan's to-do list this offseason.
Watt nor Cam Heyward made either of the teams. Heyward took it personally that he didn't make any All-Pro team, as voted by the Associated Press or the NFLPA. Heyward was the third-ranked interior defender in the AFC on Pro Football Focus, behind the two winners: Chris Jones of the Chiefs and Quinnen Williams of the Jets. While Williams finished with 1.5 sacks more than Heyward's 10.5, the Steelers' defensive captain had 19 more tackles while logging 111 more snaps despite being eight years older than Williams.
As a member of the PFWA, I submitted my ballot ahead of last week's deadline. Here are the selections for both the All-NFL and All-AFC teams, and below those is the ballot I submitted for both teams (Steelers players will be bolded):
2022 PFWA ALL-NFL TEAM
Offense
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Running Back: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns; Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Wide Receiver: Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins; Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Center: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
Guard: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns; Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
Tackle: Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles; Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers
Defense
Defensive End: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers; Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Defensive Tackle: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs; Quinnen Williams, New York Jets
Outside Linebacker: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys; Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles
Middle Linebacker: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
Cornerback: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, New York Jets; Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos
Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers; Talanoa Hufanga, San Francisco 49ers
Special Teams
Placekicker: Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders
Punter: Tommy Townsend, Kansas City Chiefs
Kick Returner: Keisean Nixon, Green Bay Packers
Punt Returner: Marcus Jones, New England Patriots
Special Teamer: Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders
2022 PFWA ALL-AFC TEAM
Offense
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Running Back: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns; Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Wide Receiver: Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders; Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Center: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs
Guard: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns; Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs
Tackle: Terron Armstead, Miami Dolphins; Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans
Defense
Defensive End: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders; Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Defensive Tackle: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs; Quinnen Williams, New York Jets
Outside Linebacker: Matthew Judon, New England Patriots; Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers/Matt Milano, Buffalo Bills (tie)
Middle Linebacker: Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Cornerback: Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, New York Jets; Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos
Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers; Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
Special Teams
Placekicker: Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders
Punter: Tommy Townsend, Kansas City Chiefs
Kick Returner: Nyheim Hines, Buffalo Bills
Punt Returner: Marcus Jones, New England Patriots
Special Teamer: Justin Hardee, New York Jets
CHRIS HALICKE'S BALLOT FOR ALL-NFL TEAM
Offense
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Running Back: Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders; Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Wide Receiver: Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings; Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Center: Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles
Guard: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns; Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
Tackle: Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers; Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
Defense
Defensive End: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers; Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Defensive Tackle: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Outside Linebacker: Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys; Haason Reddick, Philadelphia Eagles
Middle Linebacker: Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Cornerback: Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos; Darius Slay, Philadelphia Eagles
Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers; Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
Special Teams
Placekicker: Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens
Punter: Tommy Townsend, Kansas City Chiefs
Kick Returner: Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Punt Returner: KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys
Special Teamer: Jeremy Reaves, Washington Commanders
CHRIS HALICKE'S BALLOT FOR ALL-AFC TEAM
Offense
Quarterback: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Running Back: Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders; Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Wide Receiver: Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders; Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Center: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs
Guard: Joel Bitonio, Cleveland Browns; Michael Onwenu, New England Patriots
Tackle: Kolton Miller, Las Vegas Raiders; Morgan Moses, Baltimore Ravens
Defense
Defensive End: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns; Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders
Defensive Tackle: Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs; Cam Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Outside Linebacker: Alex Highsmith, Pittsburgh Steelers; T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
Middle Linebacker: Roquan Smith, Baltimore Ravens
Cornerback: Patrick Surtain II, Denver Broncos; Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, New York Jets;
Safety: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh Steelers; Derwin James, Los Angeles Chargers
Special Teams
Placekicker: Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders
Punter: Tommy Townsend, Kansas City Chiefs
Kick Returner: Nyheim Hines, Buffalo Bills
Punt Returner: Marcus Jones, New England Patriots
Special Teamer: Justin Hardee, New York Jets
