Steelers’ T.J. Watt named AFC defensive player of month, Sports Illustrated cover boy

Chris Adamski
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 9:14 a.m. | Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 9:14 a.m.

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Chaz Palla | Tribune-Review

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt tracks down Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson for a sack during this past Sunday’s game. Watt had 3 1/2 sacks during three September games and has been named AFC defensive player of the month.

For the second time in three regular-season calendar months, T.J. Watt was judged to be the best defensive player in the AFC.

The Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher was announced Thursday as the recipient of that honor for September. Through three weeks of the NFL season, Watt is tied for the AFC lead in sacks (3 ½) and he leads the conference in QB hits (10) — three more than anyone else.

Watt also has nine tackles (eight solo, including three for loss), two pass defenses and an interception.

In another honor of sorts that was revealed Thursday, Watt was the subject of a Sports Illustrated cover story.

SI Cover Story: T.J. Watt and the Art of the Takeaway

After a decade of record-setting offense, NFL defenses are searching for answers. @_TJWatt is providing them, elevating his science—taking the ball away—into an art form: https://t.co/KOtkQx6B8k pic.twitter.com/JOuMhQprQr

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) October 1, 2020

Watt, who was AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Denver Broncos on Sept. 20, won AFC Defensive Player of the Month for November 2018.

“He was pretty awesome a year ago, to be quite honest with you,” coach Mike Tomlin said, “(and) I know he has an intention of being continually better, so he’s still writing that story. His talents are just a part of the equation. His hyper-focus, his attention to detail, his awareness I think all add up to big playmaking ability and splash plays for us.”

Here’s how Tribune-Review staff writers @TribJoeRutter and @C_AdamskiTrib think the #NFL season will play out. https://t.co/vGEAh5lzBP

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) September 13, 2020

Over his past 16 games — dating to Week 4 of last season — Watt has 17 sacks, seven forced fumbles and two interceptions. He has a streak of 12 consecutive home games with at least a half-sack.

Watt, a 2017 first-round pick, had his fifth-year contract option picked up by the Steelers for the 2021 season. He will eligible to negotiate a lucrative extension with the team over the coming offseason.

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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.