Steelers' T.J. Watt 'close' to being a lock for Hall of Fame?

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro edge-rusher and reigning Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt could find himself chasing history this fall. 

Watt tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan last season for the most sacks accumulated by a player in a single campaign with 22.5, and the 27-year-old seemingly could easily reach at least 23 quarterback takedowns for 2022 if he remains healthy for a full 17 games. As Kevin Patra of the NFL's website recently pointed out, Watt could also become the first player to ever lead the league in sacks for three straight seasons.

Logic suggests that Watt is, at absolute worst, in his physical prime today and could be a force for years to come. For a piece published on Friday, CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo wrote he believes that Watt is "getting close" to becoming a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame whenever he calls time on an already-impressive career. 

"Cameron Heyward has also put together a career worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. But the nod here went to Watt, the NFL's sack king each of the last two seasons," DeArdo explained. "Last season, Watt matched Michael Strahan's 21-year-old NFL record for sacks in a season with 22. Last year's DPOY, Watt has 72 career sacks in 77 games. He also has 22 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries." 

If Watt rewrites record books and earns a second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year Award, one could argue he'd be worthy of Hall of Fame consideration before his 30th birthday.