The 2023 Pittsburgh Steelers season is in the books and so it is time for us to hand out our end-of-the-season superlatives. There were some exceptional performances this season but not enough to help the Steelers get their first playoff win since 2016.
Team MVP - LB T.J. Watt
The Steelers are 1-11 when T.J. Watt isn’t in the lineup. If that isn’t the absolute definition of value, we don’t know what is. Watt led the NFL with 19 sacks and was the most unstoppable defensive force in the league.
Offensive player of the year - RB Najee Harris
When everything else was falling apart on offense, running back Najee Harris kept working. Harris got his third 1,000-yard season in three years in the league and was the most steady and consistent worker on the team on that side of the football.
Defenisve Player of the Year - LB Elandon Roberts
Excluding T.J. Watt from this, we have to give props to Elandon Roberts. He came in as a free agent and after Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander went down with injuries, Roberts stepped his game up bigtime. Touted as a run defender only, Roberts really showed off a more diverse game int he second half of the season.
Rookie of trhe year - CB Joey Porter Jr.
I could have picked from several rookies but the way cornerback Joey Porter Jr. stepped up and willingly accepted the role as the team’s No. 1 cornerback was truly impressive.
Coach of the Year - Inside linebackers coach Aaron Curry
The Steelers brought in Curry to help weaken the worst positional unit on defense and he did just that. Even with the rash of injuries to starters, Curry found a way to get production out of guys like Myles Jack who the Steelers signed off the street.
