Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been on a tear this season — recording 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Watt currently has the best odds to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year at +105, according to SportsBettingag.com.
If Watt wins another DPOY award, he’ll join Steelers legend Joe Greene as the only players in franchise history to win the prestigious award twice. There’s a strong argument that Watt got robbed from DPOY last year with the Associated Press giving the award to Myles Garrett, too.
During the Steelers’ Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Tony Romo gave Watt a ringing endorsement by calling him the modern day Lawrence Taylor. That’s certainly high praise. On Monday night during the ManningCast, Taylor gave Watt his flowers.
“He’s strong. I like the way he uses his hands. Just like I used to do,” Taylor said. “I love the way he uses his hands, get the blocker off him and always in the right position. So, I’m cool with him.”
In his 13-year career, Taylor recorded 142 sacks. Through 7.5 seasons, Watt has racked up 103 sacks. Watt needs 1.5 sacks to move into a tie for 35th place on the all-time list with Kevin Cart and Neil Smith. He is already the Steelers all-time sacks leader. Among the notable players just ahead of him are Pittsburgh native Aaron Donald (111) and older brother J.J. Watt (114.5). Watt started the season at 50th on the all-time list, tied with Warren Sapp.
Watt has been clutch in the fourth quarter this season, recording three sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His 93.3 grade in the fourth quarter is tied for first, according to Pro Football Focus. Watt had a clutch strip sack and fumble recovery in Monday night’s 26-18 win over the Giants.
“I’m not surprised by it, but it doesn’t mean that it’s not appreciated,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said after the game. “I just come to expect it because he’s got a unique talent, a unique approach. Usually that produces unique results with a really consistent tone to it and usually at the most-timely moments. I think the new Steelers are shaking their heads. I think the guys that have been here kind of expect it.”
Lawrence won NFL DPOY three times and won two Super Bowl titles with the New York Giants in 1986 and 1990. He’s considered by many to be the greatest defensive player in NFL history. The one thing missing from Watt’s accolades is a Super Bowl title or even playoff success. He’s never won a playoff game in his career. That’s something he wants to change. He doesn’t want to be known for just his long list of individual accomplishments.
“I don’t want my legacy to say that ‘T.J. Watt (accomplished) all these individual things but what happened in the big moments?’” Watt said this past offseason. “That’s what we’re trying to get better (at), and I’m willing to do everything I possibly can and hopefully everybody in the locker room is on the same page.”