The Steelers we’re most in love with right now (and why) (2025 edition)
With Valentine’s Day conveniently falling right after the Super Bowl, we thought it would be a good time to revisit one of our favorite annual collaborations: our favorite Steelers!
Below, the SCU team gives their thoughts on their current crushes, often picking players who are crushing it on the field.
Here are our contributor picks for this year’s virtual Valentine’s cards.
Cameron Heyward
The long-time defensive captain Heyward is the longest-tenured player on the team and continues to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.
Following an injury-plagued 2023 season that saw many believing his best days were behind him, the 35-year-old likely jettisoned into the position of the NFL’s top defensive lineman with Rams future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald having retired.
Heyward had eight sacks in 2024. He added a career-high eleven passes defensed, 12 tackles-for-loss, and 20 quarterback hits in a return to Pro Bowl honors.
Heyward is an easy player to get behind as a fan favorite too, epitomizing a blue-collar work ethic that reminds Steelers Nation of the rough and tumble of past great defenders.
Minkah Fitzpatrick
While other players are have a lot to say while heading into the offseason (including DeShon Elliott’s comments about Aaron Rodgers) the mild-mannered and quiet Fitzpatrick is a breath of fresh air.
Fitzpatrick was named to his fifth Pro Bowl this season, fourth with the Steelers. He could be seen paling around with other NFL superstars, many of whom were casually dressed in shorts, gold chains, and even Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ newest signature sunglasses line — the Latch Panel Patrick Mahomes II Collection. Sports performance eyewear brand Oakley has had a significant relationship with the National Football League for years. (Seeing Fitzpatrick roam the sideline with their helmet visors as part of his game day look has only added to his appeal over the years.)
Fitzpatrick ended his 2024 campaign with with an interception, forced fumble, and four passes defensed while ranking third on the team in both combined and solo tackles. His numbers may have appeared to be down, but his intimidating demeanor to change a game at any moment is why opposing offenses avoided him as much as possible throughout the season.
Beanie Bishop
Rarely do undrafted rookie free agents find themselves not only sticking on an NFL roster but endearing themselves to the fanbase of the team they’re playing for so quickly, yet that is exactly what Bishop did in 2024. Bishop joined fellow former-UDFA Jaylen Warren as the two fan-favorite players in recent years for Pittsburgh on the roster and earned his “Beanie Baby” nickname after intercepting Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets, twice, in Week 7 on Sunday Night Football – both takeaways set up Steelers touchdowns as they cruised to a 37-15 win.
In Week 8, Bishop grabbed a game-ending interception against New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Pittsburgh won, 26-18. The NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for October 2024 went on to add another interception when he stole a pass from Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17.
Bishop finalized his season with seven pass defenses, a fumble recovery, 0.5 sacks, 45 total tackles, two tackles for a loss, and one QB hit in 17 regular season games (six starts). Bishop’s contributions helped the Steelers defense in creating a favorable, positive turnover margin for the majority of the 2024 season.
Chris Boswell
Always a fan favorite, Boswell’s popularity grew by leaps and bounds during the 2024 season, which saw to separate games where the Steelers kicker nailed six field goals each for victories.
Going back-and-forth with Ravens kicker Justin Tucker as one of the best not only in the league, but league history, Tucker’s performance fell off this past season allowing Boswell to slide past his counterpart in a number of categories.
This also saw Chris get named to his second Pro Bowl after closing in on David Akers’ single season record of 44 field goals. “The Wizard of Boz” would end the year with 41 field goals, with two misses coming from 50+ yards. He converted all 35 of his extra point attempts and led the NFL in scoring.
Now fans, go out there and get your kicker jerseys! (You know you want to!)
Joey Porter Jr.
Exhibiting the same swagger as his father, and Steelers legend, Joey Porter Sr., Joey Jr. was an instant favorite we all fell in love with during his rookie season.
With a good portion of Steelers Nation also supporters of the Penn State Nittany Lions, Joey’s college team, it was a smooth transition. However, he still had big shoes to fill in many ways: not only holding up to his namesake, but also filling a lockdown corner role which had been absent with departure of veteran Joe Haden.
Joey has lived up to the billing, even if his swagger does see some penalty flags fly from time to time. Despite that, he has made all of us, including his dad, proud. (What’s not to love about that?)
