The 2022 season brought many new risers within the Steelers' roster.
Kenny Pickett showed flashes of why the Steelers coveted him so dearly in the first round of the draft, James Daniels and Mason Cole took their next steps in becoming more complete NFL offensive linemen, Cam Heyward provided the stability and leadership to the Steelers' defensive line while Alex Highsmith bloomed as the biggest surprise on the roster.
But over the course of 17 games, it was Minkah Fitzpatrick who took home the Steelers' team MVP distinction as the fourth safety in franchise history to do so and the first player not named T.J. Watt to take home the honor since 2018.
"It's an honor, for sure, that my teammates see me as an MVP," Fitzpatrick said when he learned of the award in January. "This has been nothing but a team effort. This hasn't been the season that we thought it would, but the great part about it is it doesn't really matter what happened in the past. (Mike Tomlin) always says, 'The past is history like World War II.'"
Who could rise up and take the crown as the Steelers' MVP in 2023? Here is one candidate from the offense and the defense to favor over the rest:
OFFENSE
Crisan's MVP pick: Pat Freiermuth
Yes, there is reasonable expectation to mount on Pickett, the second-year quarterback who has had a whole NFL offseason to function as the undisputed starter. That comes with the development of his chemistry with his weapons and without Mitch Trubisky or Mason Rudolph taking the coveted first-team snaps away from him, just as it panned out in 2022 training camp and through four weeks of the 2023 regular season.
Diontae Johnson went without a touchdown in 2022, and that should not happen again in 2023. Pickens has a sky-high ceiling to look up to but still has more of the hill to climb than just his insane catches can show, at least when it comes to becoming a complete receiver.
This spot can easily go to Najee Harris, who was effective as a rusher in the second half of the 2022 season and enters 2023 fully healthy. But, he will surely cede some carries to Jaylen Warren, the emerging second-year player.
My money is on Freiermuth to be the main benefactor of all of this expected growth from Pickett and the rest of the offense.
Of course, health has to bode in his favor, as Freiermuth has a history with concussions and knee and ankle issues. But, a healthy Freiermuth could become one of the best tight ends in the NFL on a high-end expectation.
As I wrote a few weeks ago, a part of Freiermuth's growth as a more complete tight end will partially be determined by his usage and how Matt Canada utilizes him from sideline to sideline and, in concept, to help stretch the field.
Drafting Darnell Washington to help alongside Zach Gentry as the in-line tight ends will help that, as Freiermuth can join Johnson, Pickens, and the rest of the receiving corps as a true receiving threat more often. He was the second-most targeted Steelers pass catcher last season with 98, a number that was fifth-highest among NFL tight ends. Additionally, his 732 receiving yards were sixth-most among tight ends and his 11.6 yards per catch were tied for third among tight ends who caught at least 60 passes last season.
However, Freiermuth caught just 64.3% of his targets to finish 24th among tight ends, according to StatMuse. That was the lowest mark among the six tight ends who were targeted as much or more than Freiermuth's 98 times. He proved as a rock-solid pass catcher from the slot, as well. Per Pro Football Focus, Freiermuth was third among tight ends in receptions (28) and receiving yards (375) from the slot, his 2.22 slot yards per route run were second to Travis Kelce's 2.39, and his receiving grade of 78.3 from slot and screen passes was fourth to Kelce, David Njoku, and George Kittle.
If the target share remains in the ballpark of what he got last season, and if that catch percentage goes up, then Freiermuth can be more than just another option for Pickett. He has massive potential to break out as one of the NFL's best tight ends, if all goes right.
DEFENSE
Crisan's MVP pick: Minkah Fitzpatrick
Picking Watt here is too easy. Let's think about the impact that Fitzpatrick had on all layers of Teryl Austin's defense, regardless if Watt was healthy or not.
His six interceptions in 2022 were a career high and tied for the NFL lead. His 94 interception return yards ranked fourth in the league. His 56 solo tackles and 96 total stops each ranked second on the team, and his 11 passes defended finished third on the team. He also saved the day at Cincinnati to begin the season, as his block of an Evan McPherson go-ahead extra point in the waning seconds took the game to overtime, and the Steelers won it, 23-20.
Fitzpatrick does everything for this defense. He tackles, he defends passes, and he can fly on special teams. All of the stuff an all-around MVP can do.
Now, there are plenty of options to pick among Steelers defenders for the MVP. Watt is a sure-fire contender, Heyward ages like a bottle of pinot noir, and Highsmith surged as one of the premier pass rushers within the NFL and still can take another step.
Fitzpatrick is not slowing down any time soon, and he now has future Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson, a returning Levi Wallace, and the 32nd pick in this past draft in Joey Porter Jr. flanking him on the outside. Fitzpatrick is a special player and is unquestionably -- perhaps in an under-the-radar fashion across the league -- one of the best among his position.
Give me the repeat.
