CBS Sports names Steelers dynamic duo for 2023

The Steelers added several new pieces to their roster this offseason and have a few key players hoping to take a leap in year two. However, CBS Sports believes Pittsburgh's dynamic duo will be the same in 2023.

"Watt and Heyward remain the pair that makes that defense go," CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr writes. "The Steelers are elite when Watt is on the field, but they still have of the best pass-rushing interior linemen in Heyward."

It's no secret how much of an impact the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year makes when he's on the field, but Heyward had himself yet another strong season in 2022, this time without Watt playing most of the games after tearing his pectoral muscle.

Heyward had 10.5 sacks while making his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl selection. If Watt can return to his 2021 form when he tied Michael Strahan for the single-season sack record with 22.5 sacks, the Steelers defense will be one to be feared.

Kerr does give LB Alex Highsmith an honorable mention following his 14.5 sack season, but Highsmith needs to prove 2022 wasn't a fluke.

Both Watt and Heyward are another year older, but they have showed no signs of slowing down. And why would they when they are both so close to breaking James Harrison's franchise record for career sacks (80.5)?

Heyward is just 2.5 sacks away and Watt is 3.5 sacks away from surpassing Harrison on Pittsburgh's all-time list.

Health is clearly the biggest factor in holding these two players back, but if they can stay healthy, Kerr hit the nail on the head.