Snubbed? Rams DT Aaron Donald beats out Steelers' TJ Watt for NFL DPOY

Publish date: 2024-07-04

Despite leading in every major statistical category, Steelers' linebacker TJ Watt was NOT named as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Saturday night during the league's annual awards show.

Instead, the award went to the LA Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald, a former University of Pittsburgh product.

This is the third time that Donald has won the award, joining Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor and Watt's brother JJ as the only players to win it three times.

Steelers' fans and several players, including JJ Watt, have weighed in, arguing that TJ was snubbed of the award.

Watt led the league in almost all categories, including sacks, tackles for loss, pressures and QB hits, earning him the league's Deacon Jones Award, which goes to the league leader in sacks.

However, while Watt led in most major statistical categories, Donald received the edge in voting due to the fact that he was double-teamed approximately 70% of the time, and still managed to finish second to Watt in all major categories.

ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ6OlvLPA0miqp62Sl7KledGapKxllKl6oq3RqKVmnJ%2Bjrq2wjJucmqyjYry2wIysq56dnJq%2FtHnTo2SwmaSpeqe70Waln6Rdmb2wxQ%3D%3D