At 7-4, the Pittsburgh Steelers are well within playoff range and even remain in the AFC North title chase thanks to their incredible defense. So it should be no shock that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin believes that the best defender in the league is on his team.
Speaking to the media this week, Tomlin made the case that Steelers’ All-Pro pass rusher TJ Watt is the best defensive player in the world. He said that between his production and playmaking ability in big moments, it’s an easy statement for him to make.
“Let’s be honest: TJ is the best defensive player on the planet right now. He proves that week in and week out with the plays that he delivers us,” Tomlin said.
Mike Tomlin says TJ Watt is the best defensive player in the world.
(via @Steelers) pic.twitter.com/un1aP0Xs5W
— Ari Meirov (@AriMeirov) November 28, 2023
TJ Watt has 13.5 sacks in 11 games played this season – a mark that leads the league. If he continues at this clip he’ll secure his third sack title in just the last four years.
To put that into perspective, his brother – future Hall of Fame pass rusher JJ Watt – only won two rushing titles during his NFL career. That’d be a pretty cool bragging right to have at future Thanksgiving tables.
Now the question remains whether Watt can be an impact player for the Steelers in the playoffs. Getting there has to be the first priority though.
Will Watt finish the season with another 20 sacks?