With a 7-4 record, the Pittsburgh Steelers are firmly in the playoff race and still have a shot at the AFC North title, thanks in large part to their formidable defense. It comes as no surprise that Steelers’ head coach, Mike Tomlin, holds a strong belief that the best defensive player in the NFL is right on his roster.
During a media briefing this week, Tomlin passionately argued that TJ Watt, the Steelers’ All-Pro pass rusher, holds the title of the world’s best defensive player. Tomlin pointed to Watt’s consistent production and his ability to make crucial plays in critical moments as evidence for his claim.
“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’s performance this season is remarkable, with 13.5 sacks in just 11 games, making him the league leader in this category. If he maintains this pace, he’ll secure his third sack title in the last four years.
To provide some context, TJ Watt’s older brother, the renowned pass rusher JJ Watt, achieved the title of sack leader only twice during his illustrious NFL career. It’s a remarkable achievement that TJ can certainly boast about at future Thanksgiving gatherings.
While the question of whether Watt can maintain his impact in the playoffs looms, the immediate focus for the Steelers is to secure a postseason berth. The anticipation remains: can Watt finish the season with another impressive 20 sacks to solidify his position as the NFL’s premier defender?