On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced the team MVP for the 2021 season is outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
“It’s a special honor and truly special because it’s voted on by the guys in the locker room, the guys that see the work each and every day,” Watt told the Steelers media today. “I’m very thankful to receive the award. Very grateful for it.”
It’s no surprise that a player with a league and career-high 21.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and three recovered, 59 tackles (20 for loss) and 36 quarterback hits would be named most valuable. For sentimental reasons, though, it would’ve been pretty cool if the Steelers had named Ben Roethlisberger MVP. In his entire 18-year career, Roethlisberger has never had the honor.
But, alas, T.J. Watt is most deserving of the distinction by far. He surpassed the franchise-high sack rate of 16 (set by James Harrison) in December and could very well break Michael Strahan’s league record of 22.5 from 2001 this Sunday.
“It’s all about tradition here and to be able to put your footprint in as part of the tradition here is special,” said Watt. “I know it’s an individual goal. I’m not big on individual achievements. But doing this with such a wonderful group of guys is what it’s all about. To be able to be a part of this franchise, hopefully, for a long time, this is very special. But I really do have more work to do.”
T.J. Watt has been voted the #Steelers Most Valuable Player by his teammates for the third consecutive year!
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— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 6, 2022
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