Steelers Sackmaster T.J. Watt on Brink of NFL Milestone
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt could make history in Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. With a half a sack or full sack, Watt would not only join the 100-sack club, but he’d also become the the second-fastest player to reach 100 sacks, behind only Hall of Famer Reggie White, who did it in 96 games. Sacks only became an official statistic in 1982.
Watt would reach the 100-sack mark in 108 games if he gets it done on Sunday. DeMarcus Ware is currently second on the all-time list, reaching 100 sacks in 113 games. So Watt has four games after Sunday to become the second-fastest if he doesn’t record at least a half a sack against Indianapolis.
Watt is already the Steelers’ all-time sack leader with 99.5 sacks in 107 career games. He broke James Harrison’s record (80.5) in Week 2 of last year.
Watt has been on a tear through three games, recording 10 tackles (7 solos), three sacks, seven quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and one pass defended.
Tony Romo gave T.J. Watt a ringing endorsement during this past Sunday’s broadcast by calling him the modern day Lawrence Taylor. Taylor, Aaron Donald and Watt’s brother, J.J., are the only players to ever win DPOY three times.
J.J. Watt praised his brother T.J. during the NFL on CBS pregame show. He believes he’ll shatter all of his records.
“If he stays healthy, he’s gonna surpass every single record I’ve ever set… Kid’s incredible,” J.J. Watt said.
T.J. surpassed J.J. with 99.5 sacks in his first 107 career games. J.J. finished his career with 114.5 sacks.
With another NFL Defensive Player of the Year award, Watt would become the second Steelers player in franchise history to win DPOY twice, joining legend Joe Greene (1972, 1974). Watt won DPOY in 2021 when he tied the NFL single-season sack record with 22.5.
Injuries derailed his 2022 campaign, but Watt got edged out by Myles Garrett for the DPOY award in 2023. Many would argue that Watt was snubbed given that he had better stats than Garrett in almost every major defensive statistic category.
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