Steelers' T.J. Watt Wants Clarity on DPOY Award

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt didn't show up at the NFL Honors ceremony after finding out he would not receive the Defensive Player of the Year Award. 

Despite leading the league in sacks for a third time, and having higher statistics in every category but one than the winner, Myles Garrett, Watt finished second in votes. Now, he's asking for clarity. 

Speaking with Pardon My Take, Watt said he's simply asking for a better explanation of what the award means and how to win it. 

"I don’t have a problem with any of the players," Watt said. "Everybody’s phenomenal, Myles, Micah, they’re great players, don’t get me wrong. It’s just that the voting, I want more clarity on how it all comes. You work so hard and when you’re not able to come away from a season with the Super Bowl, you like to fall back on something that the hard work is worth it. And to not get that is a sting, but at the end of the day, it’s more motivation. It’s a legacy thing, it really is. It’s not why we play, but it comes along with it."

Watt became the first player in NFL history to lead the league in sacks three different times since the sack became an official stat in 1980. The only official stat he did not have a higher mark on over Garrett was forced fumbles, which they both recorded four. 

However, Garrett had a higher pass rush win rate and pressure rate and was double-teamed more throughout the season. Because of that, he won over the hearts of the voters, taking home the award. 

Watt said after the ceremony that he's using the snub as motivation, which for Steelers fans, should leave plenty of excitement for next season as he tries to win another DPOY award. 

"Yeah, I think that’s up for everybody to kind of debate," Watt said. "It was just one of those things where if people were seeing why I wasn’t there, I wanted to let them know why I wasn’t there. And it was a situation where it is something I’m truly used to at this point, so I’m using it as motivating going forward."