Pittsburgh (WJAC) — Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker TJ Watt was named the team's MVP of the season this week.
"He is what you would call a game-wrecker, where at any moment he can turn the tide in a game."
Watt has earned the Steelers' team MVP award four times in the past five seasons, matching former WR Antonio Brown as the only players to receive the honor four times.
"He is a very dominant force. He is a great player," said safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who won the MVP honor in 2022. "He is a player that causes chaos in any aspect of the game.
As the Steelers prepare for the final game of the 2023 regular season, Watt is currently tied for the league lead in sacks, with 17.
He is also tied in total quarterback hits, with 33, and is near the top of the league in fumble recoveries, forced fumbles, and tackles for loss.
"You can't try to be Superman all the time," said Watt. "You have to pick and choose your spots. That's something that I've learned over my career. There are certain moments in the game where the crowd is going nuts and it's third down and you're like, okay, this is a chance where I can really shoot my shot here and try to make a game-wrecking play. But other than that, you just have to own your role and do your job."
Earlier this season, Watt surpassed James Harrison for the most sacks in team history.
"He can still be better, which is crazy," said his older brother J.J. Watt, who retired this year after an amazing 12 seasons in the NFL. "Even just watching film I see it. Now, we are talking about nitpicking at the highest level. These are things where it's like going from a 99 to a 100. It's one little thing. But that is the level he has put himself at where those are the types of things we are looking at on film and talk about.
Watt is also among the favorites to win Defensive Player of the Year this season.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLS4xK2rnqpdma6quNhorpqspGLDsMDEZqSvqF2WxKK%2Bw2arnpmdYr2qwNOsma6ql516tMDEnqOeqqNisaayxKeqnmWWpLy1rsClo2aroKS%2Ftb%2BMrZyapZ2WwaY%3D