Pittsburgh Steelers standout defense force, TJ Watt offered some thought-provoking insights on whether defensive players should be considered for the NFL's prestigious Most Valuable Player award in a recent interview on ESPN's This is Football Show. This question has long been a subject of debate in the football community, and Watt's responses shed light on the defensive perspective in the ongoing MVP discourse.
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Steelers' TJ Watt walks off the field in Week 7 with another splash play and victory.
The Quarterback-Centric MVP Tradition
Historically, the NFL MVP award has been heavily skewed towards quarterbacks. In a league where signal-callers are the faces of franchises and often the linchpins of their teams' success, it's no surprise that they dominate the MVP conversation. Typically if you are not a quarterback, you will not win the MVP award.
Examining the current odds for the NFL MVP Award provided by DraftKings Sportsbook further underscores the quarterback-centric nature of the accolade. The top 10 contenders for the award are exclusively quarterbacks, with only one exception - running back Christian McCaffrey.
In fact, quarterbacks occupy 13 out of the top 15 positions. Watt, despite his dominant season, finds himself in the periphery with odds of +15000, reflecting the uphill battle faced by defensive players in MVP discussions. For those who do not know how crazy those odds truly are, if you bet $10 on Watt to win the MVP award and he does, you win $1,510.
T.J. Watt's Impact on the Steelers
While the odds may not favor defensive players, Watt has emerged as a game-changing force for the Steelers. He has been instrumental in several victories, creating key turnovers and igniting momentum when it matters most. Watt's impressive record this season speaks volumes about his significance on the field. Currently, he stands second in the NFL sack leaders category with eight.
J.J. Watt's Perspective
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Steelers linebacker TJ Watt knows all about what it takes to be great from his older, now-retired, brother JJ Watt.
During the interview, Watt was asked about his older brother, J.J. Watt, a future Hall of Famer who has made a significant impact on the league. J.J. Watt's perspective on the MVP award aligns with the conventional thinking.
“A quarterback should always win MVP, and a guy who touches the football is always going to be the most valuable player in football."
Changing Landscape of the NFL
Host Kevin Clark delved into the evolving landscape of the NFL, where defenses have made strides in catching up to high-powered offenses. He presented several statistics highlighting the shift, including reduced scoring, fewer touchdowns, decreased yards per catch, and a higher rate of unders hitting. Red zone efficiency has also hit a decade-long low, reflecting the challenges offenses face in closing the deal near the goal line. Clark's argument revolves around whether it's time to reconsider the MVP award's eligibility criteria and open it up to defensive players.
In response to these statistics and the idea of a more balanced MVP race, T.J. Watt expressed his hesitancy in a very T.J. Watt-like approach.
"I don't know; that is not for me to answer, and all of those crazy, quick stats you threw at me are wild. I don't have time to understand all of those statistics and have an opinion on it all."
Myles Garrett: A Defensive Star
As the conversation continued, Clark introduced another compelling candidate for the MVP award, Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns. Garrett, a perennial nemesis of the Steelers, is renowned for his exceptional defensive prowess. T.J. Watt, despite his limited time to watch football games outside of his own, acknowledged Garrett's abilities. He described Garrett as a player who seems capable of doing it all, boasting incredible quickness, power, and a well-honed spin move. T.J. Watt commended Garrett's consistent improvement and the growing mastery of his craft, reflecting the high regard he holds for his fellow defensive force.
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Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett hits Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph with his own helmet after an on-field scuffle.
T.J. Watt's interview with Clark offers a glimpse into the world of defensive players and their quest for recognition in the NFL MVP race. While the odds may be stacked against them, the dominant performances of players like T.J. Watt and Garrett serve as a testament to the invaluable role of defense in the league. The ongoing debate over whether defensive players should be considered for the MVP award continues to intrigue football enthusiasts and adds an intriguing dimension to the league's narrative.
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