5 Pittsburgh Steelers make the Pro Bowl, Bud Dupree gets snubbed

The Pittsburgh Steelers 2019 season has been different from the start. Maybe it was Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending elbow injury in Week 2. Or maybe it was the trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Either way, the 2019 Steelers have been a throwback with them winning with defense, and no merely outscoring opponents. This defense-driven team has equated in 5 players being named to the 2020 Pro Bowl.

A big shoutout to David DeCastro, Maurkice Pouncey, Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick on being named to the annual All-Star game the week before the Super Bowl.

For the five players, it was Pouncey’s 8th Pro Bowl selection and he will be a starter at center. DeCastro will be in his 5th Pro Bowl selection, and he will be a reserve at guard.

On the defensive side of the ball, T.J. Watt was named to his second Pro Bowl, Heyward to his second Pro Bowl and Fitzpatrick to his first. All of the defensive players are starters for the AFC in the Pro Bowl.

While a big congratulations is definitely deserving to all of the players named to the list, it is hard to imagine how Bud Dupree wasn’t named to his first Pro Bowl roster. Dupree is having a career year in many ways, none bigger than in the sack department. Dupree’s 9.5 sacks have him 13th in the league, and Von Miller, who was named as a starter, has been riddled with injuries and has only registered 7 sacks on the year. Matthew Judon of the Ravens who was also selected has 8.5 sacks.

There is more to the outside linebacker position than sacks, but Dupree has been the total package in 2019. His run support, as well as pass rushing, has improved tremendously. The improvement has been so noticeable he is set to make a lot of money next season as either a free agent, or with the Steelers in some fashion.

When you look at the Pro Bowl roster, which can be seen HERE, who do you think should/or shouldn’t have made the roster? Were there other Steelers who got snubbed? Let us know in the comment section below, and be sure to stay tuned to BTSC as we cover the latest news and notes surrounding the black-and-gold as they prepare for the New York Jets in Week 16.