The postseason awards continue to pile up for Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who was named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press on Friday.
Earlier on Friday, Watt was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year by FOX Sports. The 26 year-old in his fourth season out of Wisconsin is also one of five Steelers that were selected for the 2021 Pro Bowl.
Watt finished the 2020 season with the NFL lead in sacks (15), tackles for loss (26) and quarterback hits (41), and did so despite sitting out the regular season finale at Cleveland on Sunday. His 15 sacks were one shy of the team single-season record.
Watt, who was voted the Steelers’ team MVP for the second straight season, also had an interception, two forced fumbles and seven passes defended this season while racking up 53 tackles, and remains the odds-on favorite to become the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the first time in his career.
Watt was selected as an NFL All-Pro for the second time in his career. He won first-team and second-team honors in 2019, being awarded as a first-team edge rusher and a second-team linebacker.
He won this year’s award as an edge rusher, along with Cleveland’s Myles Garrett. Watt received 47 out of a possible 50 votes, while Garrett earned 36 votes. Two players: Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce earned all 50 votes. Watt and Donald are among the top contenders to be the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Watt was one of three Steelers awarded All-Pro honors. Minkah Fitzpatrick was named a first-team safety and Cam Heyward a second-team defensive tackle.