In any other year, Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt — a league-leading 15 sacks, two forced fumbles, seven deflected passes, 23 tackles for a loss and 41 hits on QBs in 2020 — would be the Defensive Player of the Year (and some might argue he should be!).
But no. Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald won the award after another incredible season, with 27 members of the media voting for him over the 20 who voted for Watt.
Watt took to Twitter to respond, as did his brother, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. Let’s start with T.J., who used a Michael Jordan meme from The Last Dance to sum up his feelings:
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) February 7, 2021
J.J. delivered a statistical argument while also praising Donald:
Aaron Donald is an absolutely incredible player. I love watching him play & he’s headed to the Hall of Fame without question. This has nothing to do with AD personally.
This is me saying what my brother won’t.
TJ played 1 less game and STILL led the NFL in every major category. pic.twitter.com/m1vzrD88WU
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 7, 2021
Donald’s teammate Jalen Ramsey also weighed in:
Lol ikno people not really questioning if AD should have won DPOY 😂😂.. Yoo that’s insane. It’s some ELITE defensive players in this league for sure & if 99 wasn’t in the league, I would hear it, but he really the greatest. Keep on tho, y’all about to get y’all Oline hurt fr 🤣
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) February 7, 2021
There you go. Here’s what’s certain: Donald for sure is a future Hall of Famer already and T.J. Watt could win the award next year if he continues to sack QBs at this rate.
