Former NFL GM makes a case for Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowler T.J. Watt to be named league MVP
Those who truly know ball, know that there is no EDGE player as impactful in the league as Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt. But after being shortchanged out of what should have been his second DPOY award, it has become popular to discredit T.J. Watt's dominance. Not for former NFL GM Michael Lombardi however, who took […]
Those who truly know ball, know that there is no EDGE player as impactful in the league as Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt.
But after being shortchanged out of what should have been his second DPOY award, it has become popular to discredit T.J. Watt's dominance.
Not for former NFL GM Michael Lombardi however, who took it one step further:
T.J. Watt as League MVP?
"Look at the record of the Steelers when Watt plays and when he doesn't," Lombardi said on a recent episode of The Lombardi Line when asked about the most valuable non-QBs in the league. "I mean, they're a different defense. He's relentless, he can play the run. They can play their nickel front with him in the game, they can play a base front with him in the game."
Without Watt, the Steelers' defense has allowed 26.7 points per game to their opponents [19.8 ppg with Watt] while creating less than half as many sacks and splash plays like interceptions, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries. The most interesting thing to note, however, is that Pittsburgh has a record of just 1-11 when he doesn't play [69-33-2 when Watt plays]. – Tommy Jaggi, Still Curtain
The numbers are almost as ill-refutable as the eye test. Watt can win against every kind of tackle and with a plethora of pass-rush moves based on speed, power, and finesse if need be.
He is a team captain, a blue-collar worker, and the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the past three years, when he has played a full season or close to it, he has led the league in sacks every time.
So is it a stretch to say he's the best non-QB in the league? I think not. There might be players who are valuable given their pedigree and age (Micah Parsons) but if it's third down and you need a sack, and you know it's tackle vs. edge rusher, I believe most coaches and staffs around the league would take Watt over anyone else.
Sure he's not as flashy as Myles Garrett, but in the end, it's sacks that matter. Those pay the bills for pass rushers and those are the ultimate drive-killers for an offense. And no one is better at doing that than Steelers' T.J. Watt.
