Unveiling the Steelers' First-Half Defensive MVP

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – This would be easier if we had Mike McCarthy captain rules, where you could pick a different player every week. It’s difficult to find one defensive player that has been consistent all year, but we think we have the guy.

The candidates for Steelers first-half defensive MVP.

DB Jalen Ramsey

• The AFC Defensive Player of the Week after the Tampa Bay game that he sealed with a sack. Ramsey has helped keep a secondary together with a pair of rookies, corner Jamel Dean battling through injury and Jaquan Brisker, both are new to the Steelers. Ramsey is a leader with how he attacks practice and shows by example.

LB Patrick Queen

• When the Steelers were 2-2, there was no chance you would think that when the team was 2-2, but he’s a big part of the four-game winning streak. He delivers the message from defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and he’s also delivering on the field as the leading tackler in each of the last two games, totaling 22.

OLB TJ Watt

• Leading the NFL in sacks (co-leader) with 7.5, no player was more valuable Week 1 than Watt, his leaping interception sealed the win against Atlanta. Those 7.5 sacks are more than he had in 14 games last season (7) and he showed he can still dominate a game.

DL Cam Heyward

• Heyward does not need huge stats to still be impactful. The 37-year-old does have six passes defensed and his leadership has helped the defensive line become the most improved and likely the best group on the defense this year. And they’ve done it the last four games without 2025 number one pick Derrick Harmon.

LB Payton Wilson

• Last year Wilson had a trio of 13-tackle games to finish with 109 on the season. It started right back with 12 against the Falcons, but what is different is he hasn’t really dipped. Wilson leads the Steelers with 65 tackles to go with seven tackles for loss, one better than all of last season, and an interception that would make receivers jealous when the Saints were at the Steelers 10-yard line in Paris.

The winner.

TJ Watt, after struggles last year, Watt is back to being atop the NFL in sacks and is making noise with this defense. If this team is to do something Watt has never been a part of, it will be led by the defense.