Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is behind little brother T.J. in the race for NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and the 2020 season is four months away.
At least, that is how odds-makers see it.
According to BetMGM, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ outside linebacker has 15 to 1 odds to win the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year, tied with New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore for the fourth-best odds in the league. The oldest Watt brother is just behind in sixth place with 17 to 1 odds.
In 2019, T.J. made All-Pro with 14.5 sacks, two interceptions, eight pass breakups, eight forced fumbles, four recoveries, and 14 tackles for loss. However, the award went to Gilmore, who led the NFL with six interceptions and 20 pass breakups.
J.J. didn’t let T.J. forget about it either.
The favorite for odds-makers to win the top defensive award is Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald at 7.5 to 1 odds. If Donald were to take home another NFL Defensive Player of the Year, he would tie Lawrence Taylor and Watt for the most in league history with three.
Chicago Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack is second with 10 to 1 odds, and San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, who enters his second season, is third with 13 to 1 odds.
If T.J. were to win such an award, he would be the seventh Steeler to take home the honor, and the first Pittsburgh outside linebacker since James Harrison to do so in 2008.
If J.J. were to beat the odds and get his fourth defensive honor, it would set an NFL record and no doubt be another reason to enshrine him as a first ballot Hall-of-Famer when he is eligible five years after his retirement.
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