The NFL is in a great place right now for defensive players. There seems to be no shortage of elite defenders across the league. The Pittsburgh Steelers have themselves one of the best in outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
Defensive Player of the Year is going to be highly contested this season, but according to head coach Mike Tomlin, Watt is the best.
“Let’s be honest: T.J. Watt is the best defensive player on the planet right now,” Tomlin said at his press conference today. “He proves that week in and week out.”
Watt has 13.5 sacks, which is tied with Minnesota Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter for the league lead. Watt also has 25 quarterback hits, 41 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, six passes defended and even a defensive touchdown.
It’s going to be tough for any defensive player to catch Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland and his seven interceptions, five of which he has returned for touchdowns to set a single-season NFL record. But in terms of all-around impact and the amount of attention he draws, few players compare to Watt.
