Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt is fresh off another stellar All-Pro season and is once again a contender for the most prestigious award a defensive player in the NFL can earn.
Watt has been named a finalist for the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. The Steelers star will contend with Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland, Raiders defensive lineman Maxx Crosby, Browns pass-rusher Myles Garrett and Cowboys outside linebacker Micah Parsons.
#Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey & #Cowboys QB Dak Prescott are finalists for The Associated Press 2023 NFL MVP & Offensive Player of the Year awards. Brock Purdy & #Bills QB Josh Allen also MVP finalists. #Browns have finalists in 4 categories. Full list: pic.twitter.com/oeiLNykUwW
— Rob Maaddi (@RobMaaddi) January 25, 2024
Watt led the NFL in sacks for the third time in his career this season, amassing 19 in all, which is 2.5 more than the next-highest total in the league, 4.5 more than Crosby and 5 more than Garrett and Parsons totaled.
He added 68 total tackles, tied for a career-high, three fumble recoveries (one of which was returned for a touchdown), 10 tackles for loss, 36 quarterback hits, an interception and eight passes defended, which also ties a career-high.
Watt’s season ended prematurely when he suffered a knee injury that kept him sidelined for the Steelers’ lone playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on Wild Card Weekend, but he has nonetheless continued to cement his status as one of the best defensive players in the sport.
