With training camp in full swing at St. Vincent, the camp rumors and videos are swirling and the excitement behind the team couldn’t be higher. In the words of Peter Schrager, things do feel a little bit different this year. It’s hard not to think of the possibilities this team has – but before getting ahead of ourselves, let’s think a little more realistically from a player standpoint.

They added Rodgers, Metcalf, Ramsey, Slay, Jonnu – all guys that are former Pro Bowlers. But what about the guys that haven’t been selected to the Pro Bowl before? Yes, the Pro Bowl has lost some of its significance over the last decade, but it still means a lot for someone to be selected for the first time. I’ll discuss the obvious choices and some not so obvious some who could break out this year for Pittsburgh.

Zach Frazier

With how well Frazier played last year it would almost be a surprise to see him not selected to one in 2025. The Steelers seem to have found their Pouncey replacement and is someone who I could see being a Steeler for life. Saying something like that after only one season is crazy, but that’s how good Frazier was last year.

Health is the only thing that could prevent a Pro Bowl (and possibly All Pro) season. He’s had some snap issues early on in camp, but he’s already been firm with himself about that, stating it can’t happen and it will get fixed. The sky is the limit for Frazier; we just have to hope the rest of the offensive line follows his lead.

Alex Highsmith

Another obvious choice, as Highsmith was already snubbed from the Pro Bowl once after his 2022 season of 14.5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles. With the attention TJ Watt commands, the addition of Derrick Harmon in the middle, and the assumed additional reps from Nick Herbig keeping him fresh (and maybe even Jack Sawyer with how his camp is going), Highsmith is poised to almost always have one on one matchups.

He’s battled injuries and is dealing with yet another groin injury in camp, but when he’s healthy he would be a top pass rusher on a handful of teams in the league. He’s normally been solid against the run, so this is the year he needs to get back to making the splash plays. His main obstacle outside of his health will be the sheer number of stud pass rushers there are in the league, so he’ll need to replicate similar numbers from 2022 to break through.

Joey Porter Jr.

Similar to pass rusher, there are so many good corners in the league (two of them on the Steelers), so it’s not easy to see JPJ getting the Pro Bowl nod. However, he has all the tools and abilities to take a step up into that upper tier of elite corners.

Reports out of camp have been really positive (when he hasn’t been dealing with a minor injury), and having Ramsey and Slay alongside him will relieve the pressure he’s had in the past by not always having to guard the opposing team’s number one receiver. But it will really come down to two things – can he reduce the penalties that plagued him (and the team) last year, and can he start creating takeaways?

Pat Freiermuth

Getting more to the less-obvious choices now, I personally think Freiermuth will have a career year with Aaron Rodgers in 2025. He’s going to be Rodgers’ trustworthy option who’s always in the right spot. Outside of Metcalf you can say Muth is the number two receiving option, and I’m confident Rodgers will look to him more in the red zone than any of past quarterbacks the Steelers have put out there in recent years.

Even if the bump in receptions and touchdowns come like I expect, Muth unfortunately still lacks the elite athleticism and speed the normal Pro Bowl tight ends possess. We’ve seen how Travis Kelce has still been able to have success while losing a step these past few years so it’s in the realm of possibility. Plus, there are a lot less big-name tight ends in the NFL than there are corners and pass rushers.

Jaylen Warren

I’ve talked about Jaylen Warren probably more than anyone this offseason, and I don’t regret it one bit. Don’t get me wrong, I’m excited to see what Kaleb Johnson can do, but I KNOW what Jaylen Warren can do. To me there are no flaws in his game, and if he gets a 60/40 to 70/30 share of the backfield the whole season I think he goes for 1200+ yards on the ground and 8+ touchdowns.

The big question mark though is the offensive line. We’ve seen Warren have success behind bad offensive lines since he’s been in the league, but to truly break through the offensive line will need to be a top 15 group at least. His ability to make free rushers miss behind the line and pick up a few yards is incredible, but that’s not the blueprint for a Pro Bowl running back.

Payton Wilson

It’s impossible not to be amped up about Payton Wilson. He flashed in his part-time role last year, and now starting alongside Queen he should be completely freed up to use his speed and fly all over the field. He himself said he believes he’s one of the best coverage linebackers in the league, and I’m thrilled to potentially have someone who can match up tight ends and backs on the short throws that always seem to beat the Steelers.

But of course a Pro Bowl selection weighs a lot on stats, and though Wilson is poised to have a great year the stat sheet might not show it because of how many dominant guys up the Steelers have up front, along with Queen, beating him to the spot. Interceptions and forced fumbles will probably have to be his path to a selection, but regardless he has all the makings of future Pro Bowler if not in 2025.

DeShon Elliot

Lastly, we have who I personally believe was the Steelers best defensive player last year. Elliot signed a much-deserved extension this offseason because of how good he was as a tackler in 2024. He was the lowest in the league in missed tackle rate at the safety position and always seemed to be making stops at or behind the line of scrimmage. It was one of the more pleasant surprises a free agent has provided for the Steelers in recent memory.

To get the Pro Bowl votes he’ll have to expand his play to the back end, and he has all the opportunity to do so with Minkah gone. Tomlin has blatantly said the Steelers are going to play man with the three headed dragon they have at corner, so that should free up Elliot a lot to take more risks. He said a few days ago he’s only getting better, so if he can add four or five interceptions to go along with another 100+ tackle season a Pro Bowl isn’t a crazy thought.

Unless there’s a massive surprise that I don’t see coming I think this is the full list. And if I had to pick one of them that’s not Frazier, I lean Jaylen Warren. CMC, Saquon, Bijan, Gibbs all reside in the NFC. In the AFC that leaves Derrick Henry, Devon Achane, Jonathan Taylor, and possibly James Cook and Ashton Jeanty. Cook’s touchdown numbers will regress, Achane is made of glass, and Jeanty, though insanely good, is still only a rookie and will need to adjust to the NFL.

I’m fully prepared for my Jaylen Warren offseason hype train to come back and bite me in the ass, but what’s the point of writing about sports if you don’t have bold takes. Let me know if you have a take of your own and if there’s a Steeler I left off who could make the Pro Bowl in 2025.