Year 14 for the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman might just have been the best season of his career.
After an injury-riddled 2023 season, Heyward silenced his doubters by proving his worth with the extension he received in September 2024. Not only did he register 71 tackles, 8 sacks, and 12 tackles for loss, but he also led the team with 11 pass deflections. To further cement his Hall-of-Fame resume, he was selected as a First-Team All-Pro for the fourth time in his career.
Heyward's standout performance this season has garnered recognition from numerous analysts, including NFL expert Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports, who named him the Steelers' MVP for the 2024 season.
"Even in his 14th season in the NFL, Heyward continues to play at an elite level. The defensive tackle was a First Team All-Pro for the fourth time in his career in 2024. In 17 games, Heyward totaled 71 tackles, eight sacks and 11 pass breakups, which helped the Steelers reach the playoffs."
Another strong candidate for Steelers MVP was All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt, who led the team in sacks (11.5), tackles for loss (19), quarterback hits (27), and forced fumbles (6). Watt was named Second-Team All-Pro for 2024. Center Zach Frazier, after a tremendous rookie season, also emerged as a dark horse candidate. Frazier allowed just one sack and 12 total pressures on 548 pass-blocking snaps in 2024, finishing sixth among NFL centers with an overall grade of 76.8, according to Pro Football Focus. For his exceptional performance, he earned the team's 'Joe Greene Great Performance Award' as their rookie of the year.
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