We’re only about midway through the season, but T.J. Watt is putting up monster numbers that legitimately have him in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. He’s been crowned it or in the top three in voting (runner-up in 2020) in all but three seasons, and one of those he spent sidelined for most of.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback turned analyst Ryan Clark said he could finish his career as THE greatest ever to don the Black and Gold.
His brother and future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt earned a hat trick in his illustrious career, once in back-to-back seasons. The younger Watt’s career is headed down the same path.
But like any humble athlete, Watt has only one focus: Winning.
In an interview with Steelers Wire, he discussed precisely where his focus lies.
“Obviously, it would be extremely special, but a lot of those awards are all after season,” he said. “I mean, it’s still so early — there’s so many other things on my mind than individual awards. I’ve won the award before, and it’s great, but at this moment, I’m just trying to win the Super Bowl and trying to win games and help my team as much as possible.”
“If I took my focus away from that, it’d be a disservice to the whole city of Pittsburgh and to all of my teammates and coaches. So right now, I’m just extremely focused and motivated to win each and every single week.”
This week, it’s the Jacksonville Jaguars. With 16, Trevor Lawrence is the (tied) eighth-most sacked quarterback in the league. Watt will be especially hungry after not getting to Rams’ Matthew Stafford in Week 7.
Per TribLive’s Chris Adamski via Pro Football Reference, the Steelers are back to Blitzburgh. Only four NFL teams blitz at a higher rate this season than the Steelers’ 37.9 percent.
Lawrence is about to get his first taste of the Steelers, and Watt will be harassing him all day.
#Jaguars Trevor Lawrence has been among worst QBs in football against the blitz this season, via ESPN.
The #Steelers defense have been one of the best when blitzing.
The Jags will have to overcome it on Week 8 when they face off. pic.twitter.com/Y8bR8UHT1d
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) October 28, 2023
