Two former Wisconsin Badgers named finalists for NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Two former Wisconsin Badgers finalists for NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Former Wisconsin Badgers Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles) and T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers) were named finalists for the AP Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday.

The inclusions are no surprise after the two were named first (Baun) and second-team All-Pro (Watt). The two are finalists for the award, along with Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain.

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Watt is a perennial contender for the league-wide honor. The Wisconsin legend won it in 2021, finished second in 2020 and 2023, and was third in 2019. The seven-time Pro Bowl participant has four All-Pro first-team honors, plus this year’s second-team nod.

Watt finished the 2024 campaign with 61 tackles, 27 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss, 11 1/2 sacks, six forced fumbles and four pass deflections. Those numbers, while impressive, failed to increase over the last month of the season. Watt tallied just two total tackles and one for loss over the final three weeks. He then failed to crack the stat sheet during the Steelers’ playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Baun, on the other hand, is one of the best stories from the 2024 NFL season. The former Wisconsin pass-rusher (2016-19) struggled to find a role with the New Orleans Saints after he was a third-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He signed a small one-year contract with the Eagles last offseason, figuring to add depth to the linebacker room and special teams unit.

Instead, Baun broke out with 151 tackles (sixth-highest in the NFL), 11 for loss, five quarterback hits, 3 1/2 sacks, one interception, four pass deflections and five forced fumbles. He led an Eagles defense to a No. 2 finish in scoring defense (17.8 points per game) and No. 1 in total defense (278.4 yards per game).

Baun’s play is a big reason the Eagles are set to host the NFC championship game on Sunday.

The 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year will be announced during the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 6. Patrick Surtain (45 tackles, four interceptions) is the current favorite to win the award.

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