Steelers' T.J. Watt nominated for ESPY's NFL Player of the Year

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro edge-rusher T.J. Watt tied the NFL all-time sack record for a single season with 22.5 quarterback takedowns during the 2021 campaign, and Watt earned Defensive Player of the Year honors for his on-the-field performance. 

The 27-year-old was officially nominated for a different award on Tuesday. 

Per an ESPN piece, Watt is one of four nominees for the ESPY's NFL Player of the Year Award. He will face stiff competition, as Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor were also nominated. 

As noted by ESPN stats, Kupp captured the receiving triple crown by leading the league with 145 receptions, 1,947 receiving yards and 16 touchdown catches in the regular season. He then was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl LVI. 

Rodgers earned regular-season MVP honors for a second-consecutive year and the fourth time of his Hall of Fame career. Taylor, meanwhile, finished with league-bests of 1,811 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Tom Brady was named the ESPY's NFL Player of the Year last summer. This year's edition of the award show will air on ABC on July 20 at 8 p.m. ET.