Mike Tomlin explains why TJ Watt is the Defensive Player of the Year

The Pittsburgh Steelers currently own one of the best defenses in the National Football League. As a matter of fact, that’s the main reason why they won eleven straight games to start the season.

And, even though their work as a unit has been outstandingif someone deserves more credit than the rest of the pack, that’s definitely TJ Watt, who has already proved to be the best of the Watt family, which is a lot to say.

Watt is currently one of the frontrunners to earn the Defensive Player of the Year award honors, and it seems like the Steelers will only get as far as their defense can lead them in the postseason.

Mike Tomlin Says TJ Watt Is Not From This Planet

That’s why when Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the importance and impact of TJ Watt, he had no choice but to take his hat off, jokingly saying that he’s not from this world:

“T.J. is visiting from another planet, to be quite honest with you. He has freakishly unique talent coupled with freakishly unique work habits and mindset and it produces what you guys witness every week which, in my opinion, is defensive player of the year quality,” Tomlin said, via the Steelers’ official account.

Thus far, Watt has piled up an NFL-best 15 sacks while also leading the league with 23 tackles for a loss and 41 quarterback hits. Also, he’s registered at least one sack in all but 4 games this season.

Anchored by TJ Watt and the rest of their defense, the PittsburghSteelers clinched the AFC North over the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravensand sit on a 12-3 record. And even though their offense continues to raise some doubts, there’s no question that this aggressive defensive identity can lead them through the fire.