Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Football Hall of Fame watch

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will induct the class of 2023 on Aug. 5. Here are players and a coach from the 2023 Steelers who could join the immortals in Canton someday.

Guaranteed Hall of Famer

Mike Tomlin, head coach: Tomlin not only won a Super Bowl in just his second season in Pittsburgh, but he also owns the NFL record for most consecutive non-losing seasons to begin a coaching career (16). He has the 16th-most wins (163) and 22nd-best win percentage (.636) by a head coach in NFL history and is only 51.

Tomlin has received a lot of criticism in recent years because the Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. However, he always seems to have Pittsburgh in contention by the end of the season, which is something not a lot of teams can say. His true test, life without Ben Roethlisberger, has already begun. If he wins a Super Bowl with another starting quarterback, he may be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fringe Hall of Famer

T.J. Watt, linebacker: In 2021, Watt won his first Defensive Player of the Year award after tying Michael Strahan's season sack record with 22.5 sacks in just 15 games. He probably would have broken the record if he had played the full season. Although an impressive feat, that alone won't get him into the Hall of Fame.

If Watt has another season or two similar to 2021 and adds a Super Bowl ring by the end of his career, his case for Canton will be as strong as any. With 77.5 sacks, the five-time Pro Bowler is just 3.5 sacks from becoming Pittsburgh's all-time sack leader. Watt is only 28.

A young player who could develop into a Hall of Famer

Minkah Fitzpatrick, safety: Pittsburgh's trade for Fitzpatrick may go down as one of the best in franchise history. Fitzpatrick has 17 interceptions since joining Pittsburgh in 2019 from Miami and he is still only 26. The three-time Pro Bowler tied for the league lead in interceptions in 2022 with six.

With 19 career interceptions, Fitzpatrick still has a long way to go to be among the league's all-time pick artists. After signing a four-year contract extension, he doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. If Fitzpatrick can continue playing at a high level in the prime of his career, he may help the Steelers win a Super Bowl and earn his way into the Hall of Fame.