Pittsburgh Steelers rookie first-round pick T.J. Watt absolutely dominated in his regular season NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
So it really shouldn’t be that much of a surprise that Watt earned NFL Defensive Rookie of the Week for his performance.
No surprise, Steelers LB T.J. Watt NFL defensive rookie of the week
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 12, 2017
The former Wisconsin standout recorded six tackles, two sacks and an interception en route to accomplishing a feat that his more famous older brother has never done (more on that here).
This doesn’t appar to be mirage on the younger Watt’s part. He was absolutely brilliant during the preseason slate, ultimately earning the starting job in Pittsburgh over veteran James Harrison.
T.J. may have a long way to go in order to overtake his brother as the best Watt in the NFL. But he’s surely provided a tremendous pass-rush threat for a Steelers defense that had been without an elite player at that position over the past several seasons.