The NFL announced historic T.J. Watt news on Wednesday.
The NFL announced on Wednesday (9/16) that Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt is the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week 1.
Watt now has nine career Defensive Player of the Week awards, which ties Hall of Famers Chris Doleman, Bruce Smith and Lawrence Taylor for the most ever.
In the Steelers' Week 1 win against the Atlanta Falcons, Watt recorded a 35-yard pick-six, three tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
"Obviously, a huge play," Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy said of Watt's interception. "T.J.'s play was just -- that's a highlight play you'll be watching the rest of your life. The anticipation of it -- frankly, great players make great plays all the time. You see that play in practice. You see that play on the cutups.
"Not only did he make the play, but the ability to get up and finish it was incredible. It was a great finish by the whole defense, and the momentum swing that came with that, that was obviously huge. That was clearly the biggest play in the game."
Watt intercepted Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush and returned it 35 yards for the touchdown to five the Steelers a 20-10 lead.
The future Hall of Famer still has a lot left in the tank.
"Unbelievable," Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers said. "We were just talking about how great of a game he was having and what an impact he's had, and we were laughing about something that happened in practice the previous week -- this week, involving him, and then that happens, and then he falls down and gets up and I'm thinking they're just running off because he's gotten tagged off. I didn't realize he even scored. What an incredible, incredible play.
"He's done that a few times, too. He's getting hands on the football over the last couple years, but he has an uncanny ability to kind of get his hands there. T.J. has just been on a different level this year throughout the entire training camp. I've seen his leadership be at an all-time high. He gave a great, impassioned speech, and for anybody who hasn't seen it before, it can't help but get you inspired when he starts talking pregame and what a game."
Watt became the first Steelers player to record two sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown in a regular-season game since linebacker LaMarr Woodley did so in 2010.
Watt is also the only AFC player to record two sacks and an interception returned for a touchdown in a regular-season game since Kyle Van Noy in 2021.
The brother of J.J. Watt, T.J joined Julius Peppers as the only players with 100 sacks and 10 interceptions since sacks became an official stat in 1982.
