T.J. Watt is in the conversation for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, though the award will probably go to Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
That's fine with Watt. He took home an award far more important to him on Thursday when he was voted the Steelers' MVP by his teammates.
"It’s quite an honor," said Watt, who was all smiles. "I can’t really hide how I feel about it because it’s voted on by my peers, the players, the guys I’m around on a daily basis. So to be recognized as the team MVP is special to me."
Watt has had a special kind of season.
He enters Week 17 fourth in the NFL and leading the AFC in sacks with a career-high 14. He's also recorded 33 quarterback hits, 14 tackles for a loss, seven forced fumbles, two interceptions and four fumble recoveries.
It's his second consecutive season with 13 or more sacks, the first time in team history a player has had two such years, let alone doing so back-to-back. And at just 25 and in his third NFL season, he still hasn't reached his peak.
"He’s done a good job, a really good job for us," said defensive coordinator Keith Butler. "He’s still learning, but he’s learned a lot. What T.J. does well, probably as good as anybody does, is he prepares himself. He works at preparing himself. He’s out here first every day. You look out there and you’ll see him playing with the ball like a little kid. He loves it. He loves the game, so he works at it. He’s really good physically and mentally. I think he’s still got room to grow a little bit, but he’s getting there."
Watt said that love of football is what keeps him going.
A tight end when he first got to Wisconsin, he switched over to defense for his final two seasons there. The lack of experience showed in his first season for the Badgers, but he got better in his final year as each game went on, prompting the Steelers to select him with the 28th pick in the first round in 2017.
What they've gotten in return is a player who has 34 sacks, 14 forced fumbles and three interceptions in 46 games while quietly going about his business -- at least in previous seasons.
Last season, he made the Pro Bowl as an alternate. This year, he was voted in as a starter.
"From the first time I saw him, he's just been very mature, very serious about the game," said cornerback Joe Haden. "But he produced. He's a high-character player. MVP for our team and he deserves defensive MVP.
"When you're a young dude, you want your play to speak for itself. He's been doing that since he got here. This year, by far, he's talked the most I've ever heard him talk. It's getting everyone motivated in pre-game speeches. He's so hyped. You can see the passion. He's a Watt. He deserves defensive MVP for sure."
That would keep the NFL Defensive MVP award in the family. Watt's older brother, J.J., has won the award three times as a defensive lineman for the Texans.
Ironically, it will be the Texans who play a part in the Steelers' playoff chances this weekend. If they win Sunday against the Ravens and the Texans beat the Titans, the Steelers reach the playoffs.
J.J. Watt won't play in this game. He's on Injured Reserve with a torn pectoral muscle but is expected to return for the playoffs.
"I was a Texans fan for eight years," T.J. Watt said of his older brother's team. "I guess I will be again Sunday."
