The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have a generational talent on their defense in star outside linebacker TJ Watt. He’s certainly too dominant and affects the game too often to only withhold one Defensive Player of the Year Award under his belt. Watt is the first and only player in NFL history to lead the league in total sacks in three different seasons. After being snubbed of the DPOY Award in 2020 and again most recently in 2023, former Los Angeles Rams’ defensive star Aaron Donald reminded the NFL community of those instances.

Donald recently announced his retirement from the NFL after a dominant career, going down as one of the best defensive linemen to ever step onto the field. Donald spent the entirety of his 10-year career with the Rams and totaled 111 total sacks and 543 total tackles. Donald was a ten time Pro-Bowler, eight time All-Pro selection, a Super Bowl champion, and won the famous DPOY Award three times, including back-to-back years in 2017 and 2018.

In a recent exclusive interview, Donald reflected on his career and his accomplishments. Donald then showed appreciation to Watt and explained he should have won the DPOY Award a few more times.

“I would say TJ Watt. He’s another guy that’s consistently been doing it, every single year. He’s a guy that’s gonna consistently get fifteen sacks for you, twenty TFL’s, probably two interceptions, maybe a touchdown for sure.”

Watt is coming off of a 2023 season with 19 sacks, tying a career high of 68 total tackles, an interception, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, one of those being a game winning scoop and score touchdown versus the Cleveland Browns early in the season.

“I felt like he should’ve won a couple more Defensive Player of the Year Awards, he kind of got snubbed a couple times, I ain’t gonna lie.”

After learning he would finish as the runner up in the 2023 DPOY contest, Watt went on to show his frustrations with the NFL.

Watt has explained to the media on multiple occasions that he feels the NFL feels a certain way about Watt, and not in a good way. Watt stated after a game last season that he was unsure of what he did and doesn’t know why he is being treated this way. The NFL has fined Watt for a handful of ridiculous instances, and at this point, Watt doesn’t care.

Nothing I’m not used to.

— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) February 9, 2024

Steelers And Watt Will Be Looking For Vengeance In 2024

The entirety of the Steelers’ organization feels similarly to how Watt feels in his own personal ways. Watt goes into next season with a big chip on his shoulder, after being disrespected by the league for another time. It’s almost scary to imagine how he’ll perform next season, given he was already a dominant force and a beast in the 2023 season.

While Watt looks to regain his title as the DPOY, the Steelers are looking to get back to winning in January, and eventually again in February. What do you think? Will Watt and the Steelers bounce back even harder in 2024?