PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - In the least surprising Steelers news of the year, outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been selected as the team’s Most Valuable Player for the third straight year, a first in Steelers history.
With Watt breaking the team’s single-season sack record and only one away from tying an NFL record, on that that has stood for 20 years, it’s no surprise his teammates voted him MVP.
“It’s really immeasurable,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin of Watt’s impact on the team. “There’s tangible things like stats and boy that tells a story. It’s the things stats don’t tell. His approach to business, his communication, his leadership. He helps young guys grow and develop. It’s those things that don’t get highlighted enough.”
Watt has eight multiple sack games so far this season, recording four this past Monday night against the Cleveland Browns.
On Wednesday, Watt was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the third time this season.
While it’s unlikely, earlier this season quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said that Watt shouldn’t only be the team MVP but the MVP of the league.
“I’ve been a part of guys like that, Troy Polamalu, who can change a football game,” said Roethlisberger. “It doesn’t happen on defense that often. To be a literal game-changer on defense is something completely special. I don’t know who else is the Defensive Player of the Year than that guy. He should absolutely get MVP votes as well.”
“I understand what he does in the offseason,” Heyward said. “This guy is locked in no matter what the circumstances are. He’s a game-changer. He’s a game-wrecker. The sacks are one thing the turnovers are another. We’ve needed every bit of it.”
“Not a lot of guys can say they got a chance to break the record. He puts on a clinic of not just how to get a sack, but to get a turnover.”
“He’s the best in the world in my opinion,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada. “To get to go against him every day in practice and watch what he does. The job he’s done this year when he’s been out there has been truly record-setting. I’m glad I don’t have to game plan against him.”
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh does have to game plan against him.
“He may be the best defensive player in football and probably is,” Harbaugh said. “There are a lot of great players in this league, but none better than him. We loved him coming out in the draft.”
“He’s done nothing but fulfill and even go further than expectations were.”
In addition to 21.5 sacks, Watt also has four forced fumbles, six passes defended and 59 total tackles.