SCB Steelers Hot Reads – M.V.P.’s and Pro Bowling

Hey Steelers Fans. Welcome to Thursday.

The Kickoff

T.J. Watt was selected as the team’s Most Valuable Player yesterday. It’s the fifth time he’s been selected, which is the most of any Steeler in history. While there’s no question that Watt’s impact on every game is literally impossible to measure, Inwould have selected Chris Boswell this year. No knock on Watt has whatsoever but Chris Boswell enters week 18 five field goals short of the most in a single, NFL season. His accuracy and consistency from week one through now has been outstanding and keep in mind, two games were won this year with 12 kicks made out of 12 attempted (6 in each game). Again, the selection of Watt is no surprise but I thought Boswell was deserving this season.

Pro Bowling

Four Steelers were elected to the 2025 Pro Bowl ‘Games’ this morning. T.J. Watt, Chris Boswell, Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick were all selected through a combination of fan, coach and player voting. The first three are no-brainer selections in my opinion. Fitzpatrick however?? He’s a tremendous player but I just don’t view him as a Pro Bowl selection this year.

Could Roman Play?

2024 third round pick Roman Wilson has yet to play a single snap in his rookie year due to injuries suffered on the very first day of contact in Training Camp and then later in preseason. He’s now in the 21-day window to return and has been a full participant in practice the last two days. Therefore the question is, could he return this week or in the playoffs? Technically the answer is yes, but whose roster spot would he take? Wilson is a slot guy and he isn’t bumping Calvin Austin III that’s for sure. If he can play on Special Teams that could help his cause but right now I’m skeptical if he gets a helmet.

Extra Time

Nic Farabaugh of PennLive reported yesterday that defensive players requested an extra walk-thru on the defensive plan. Teryl Austin obliged and it sounded very much like the players were trying to eliminate any of the issues that have plagued them in recent weeks.

Looking Ahead

Snow showers are expected throughout the day Saturday in Pittsburgh but they are expected to level off by kickoff. Temperatures at 8pm are forecasted to be 24 degrees. The wind will be just as critical so keep an eye on that too.

Random Reads

I understand why officials decided to postpone the Sugar Bowl by a day but I also worry about the precedent. We’ve been told beating terrorism means you don’t let it stop our day-to-day lives and in a sense, moving the game does that. I will cede this decision to others who have far more involvement than I do. And most important, my thoughts are with those affected by yet another senseless act… Any chance the Steelers can get a rule change and get Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith to enter the Draft this spring? Unfortunately he’s just a freshman so we will have to wait… I miss the days when athletes just played and didn’t run their mouths all the time before games… I was really impressed by Oregon WR Tez Johnson last night as a player but also as a young man. Rather than interrupt Will Howard’s postgame interview, he patiently waited for the interview to end before congratulating Howard. George Pickens should take some notes. That’s how it’s done.