After having eight players voted to the Pro Bowl in 2017, the Steelers saw that number decrease to six this season when the teams were announced Tuesday night.
That's what happens when you decline from a 13-3 record to 8-5-1 the following season.
But the six that are going include one newcomer, running back James Conner. Conner, who could return to the team this week at New Orleans after missing the past two games with an ankle injury, will be joined by receiver Antonio Brown, guard David DeCastro, center Maurkice Pouncey, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva and defensive tackle Cam Heyward.
Left off the team for the Steelers were receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who leads the team in receptions and receiving yards, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, fullback Roosevelt Nix and placekicker Chris Boswell. Roethlisberger, Nix and Boswell made the team last year, though Boswell has struggled this season.
Linebacker T.J. Watt, who leads the Steelers with 11 sacks, also was left off the team.
Linebacker Ryan Shazier also was named to the Pro Bowl last season but was unable to play in the game.