At the midway point of the 2024 NFL season, Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt is the odds-on favorite (+135) to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Houston Texans edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones are tied for the second-best odds at +1000. New York Giants nose tackle Dexter Lawrence follows at +1200 and Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson rounds out the top five at +1200. Watt also has the best odds (+105) to win DPOY at SportsBetting.ag.
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. 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.
Watt has especially 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 last Monday night’s 26-18 win over the New York 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.”
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 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.”