Back in September, I published a two-part essay, giving my take on the Pittsburgh Steelers-specific awards predictions, with a series of polls for Steelers Nation to weigh in. (Link HERE.) Now that the Steelers have played eight games, it’s time for a mid-season check-in.
This will be the answer to Part 1, featuring more traditional awards (MVP, Rookie of the Year). Later, I’ll post Part 2, with more invented categories to argue about. I’ll include my preseason predictions, as well as the fan favorite, and then my updated choice, and a poll. (*Note: The Isaac Redman Award is not included below. It wasn’t mine to initiate, and it’s already being debated and voted on elsewhere.)
On with the show. Go Steelers.
Here’s the shorthand version (with my picks). Explanations and polls to follow.
MVP: Minkah Fitzpatrick
Offensive POY: James Conner
Defensive POY: T.J. Watt
Rookie of the Year: Devin Bush
Newcomer of the Year: Steven Nelson
Comeback/Improved POY: Chris Boswell
Breakout Player: Dionte Johnson
Assistant Coach of the Year: Keith Butler
Game of the Year: Week 17 at Ravens
Most Valuable Player
Preseason Winner: Ben Roethlisberger (73%)
My Preseason Vote: Ben Roethlisberger
Poll
Steelers Mid-Season MVP
This poll is closed
-
35%
T.J. Watt
-
2%
Cameron Heyward
-
3%
Devin Bush
-
56%
Minkah Fitzpatrick
-
1%
James Conner
-
0%
Other
My Mid-Season Pick: Minkah Fitzpatrick
This is possibly a controversial start to the list, but I don’t think of MVP as just the best player (which is probably Watt), but rather as the player who makes the most difference. Fitzpatrick’s arrival immediately made this defense a force. Turnovers are way up, big plays are way down, and the back end of the defense is suddenly a strong unit. Plus, when Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert traded a 2020 first-round pick for Fitzpatrick, they signaled to the team that they weren’t giving up on the season despite Roethlisberger’s injury, and the locker room bought in. He’s the best player trade this team has made they went out and got Jerome Bettis in 1996.
Offensive Player of the Year
Preseason winner: JuJu Smith-Schuster (39%), James Conner (38%)
My Preseason Choice: JuJu Smith-Schuster
Poll
Offensive Player of the Year
This poll is closed
-
48%
James Conner
-
4%
JuJu Smith-Schuster
-
9%
Dionte Johnson
-
12%
Mason Rudolph
-
20%
David Decastro
-
5%
Other
My Mid-Season Pick: James Conner
It’s hard to find a standout on the offense this season, and Conner has been injured recently. But generally speaking, he’s been the engine that keeps the offense running – by both catching short passes out of the backfield and running hard off tackle. I feel like this one might change by the end of the year, but for now, it feels like Conner to me.
Defensive Player of the Year
Preseason Winner: T.J. Watt (57%)
My Preseason Choice: T.J. Watt
Poll
Defensive Player of the Year
This poll is closed
-
67%
T.J. Watt
-
3%
Cameron Heyward
-
4%
Devin Bush
-
22%
Minkah Fitzpatrick
-
1%
Stephon Tuitt
-
0%
Other
My Mid-Season Pick: T.J. Watt
Watt is one of the NFL’s best already. He’s a terror and we’re lucky to watch him play.
Rookie of the Year
Preseason Winner: Devin Bush (88%)
My Preseason Choice: Devin Bush
Poll
Rookie of the Year
This poll is closed
-
94%
Devin Bush
-
0%
Benny Snell
-
4%
Dionte Johnson
-
0%
Johnny Holton
-
0%
Other
My Mid-Season Pick: Devin Bush
Bush is often mentioned among front-runners for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He leads the NFL in fumble recoveries, and has showed an ability to utterly take over a game (just ask the Chargers). Trading up for Bush was the best draft day trade the Steelers made since Troy Polamalu.
Newcomer of the Year
Preseason Winner: Steven Nelson (43%)
My Preseason Choice: Steven Nelson
Poll
Newcomer of the Year
This poll is closed
-
2%
Mark Barron
-
27%
Devin Bush
-
50%
Steven Nelson
-
1%
Nick Vannett
-
2%
Other
-
16%
Minkah Fitzpatrick (late addition)
My Mid-Season Pick: Steven Nelson
Nelson doesn’t get a ton of press, but as a cover corner, that’s a good thing. He has been incredibly steadying in coverage, and is an integral part of the best Steelers secondary in years. As far as I’m concerned, Nelson is the quiet star of the season.
(Post-Script: Some people have asked why Minkah doesn’t appear in this category. Good question. It was just an oversight on my part. I’ve added him now, but enough people have voted that the numbers might be skewed. In any case, I’m still sticking with Nelson. Minkah was already my MVP and I like to spread the accolades around. But also Nelson is underreported and it feels meaningful to point out how big an improvement he is over anyone the Steelers have lined up on that side in years.)
Comeback/Improved Player of the Year
Preseason Winner: Chris Boswell (59%)
My Preseason Choice: Bud Dupree
Poll
Comeback/Improved Player of the Year
This poll is closed
-
54%
Bud Dupree
-
43%
Chris Boswell
-
0%
Jordan Berry
-
1%
Cameron Sutton
-
0%
Other
My Mid-Season Pick: Chris Boswell
I’m tempted to stick with my preseason choice (I’ve long been a Bud fan, and he’s playing absolutely lights out this season), but Boz has become an absolute automatic again, and I love it. A Pro Bowler who had an off year and is now back to grade-A form is pretty much the definition of “Comeback Player of the Year.” Sounds like Boswell to me.
Breakout Player
Preseason Winner: James Washington (60%)
My Preseason Choice: James Washington
Poll
Breakout Player
This poll is closed
-
49%
Dionte Johnson
-
15%
Cameron Sutton
-
0%
Benny Snell
-
11%
Mason Rudolph
-
20%
Devin Bush
-
3%
Other
My Mid-Season Pick: Diontae Johnson
Johnson is clearly one of Mason Rudolph’s favorite targets, and while he still looks like a rookie in some real ways, he comes through more often than not – frequently in big ways. His catch-and-run touchdown just before halftime against Miami illustrated something I’ve thought for a while: he’s not a replacement for Antonio Brown, but he seems to have a little Santonio Holmes in him. And only one of those guys has a Super Bowl ring.
Assistant Coach of the Year
Preseason Winner: Keith Butler (25%), Randy Fichtner (24%), Tom Bradly/Teryl Austin (23%)
My Preseason Choice: Keith Butler
Poll
Assistant Coach of the Year
This poll is closed
-
47%
Keith Butler (DC/OLBs)
-
30%
Tom Bradley/Teryl Austin (DBs)
-
6%
Jerry Olsalvsky (ILBs)
-
8%
Karl Dunbar (DL)
-
3%
Randy Fichtner (OC)
-
3%
Other
My Mid-Season Pick: Keith Butler
In the preseason, I threw out a wishful thinking vote for Butler, figuring that replacing Joey Porter with the OLBs would prove useful. Not only has Butler unlocked whatever was ailing Bud Dupree (who’s playing like an animal suddenly), but his defense in general looks like a great one. His unit is the biggest reason the Steelers are still in this thing.
Game of the Year (upcoming)
Preseason Winner: Opening week against New England (38%)
My Preseason Choice: Opening week against New England
Poll
Game of the Year (upcoming)
This poll is closed
-
7%
TNF against Browns
-
4%
Wk 16 against LeVeon Bell’s Jets
-
53%
Wk 17 against Ravens
-
33%
Whatever’s next on the schedule
-
1%
Other
My Mid-Season Pick: Week 17 against Baltimore
I’m gambling again with this one. I’m hoping this game is for all the marbles – that the Steelers are still in the running for a playoff spot by the season’s final week. But even if they’re not, I feel like these guys owe the Ravens a grudge match.
Part 2 coming... Go Steelers!