Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was named as a finalist for the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award on Thursday, but the oddsmakers do not expect him to win it.
Watt, who won the award in 2021 and is a finalist for the fifth time in his career, his seen as an underdog this time around. According to NFL odds posted at Vegas Insider, his odds on Thursday morning ranged from +180 to +750, depending on the sportsbook.
The favorite is Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II. Surtain won the PFWA version of the award, which was announced on Wednesday, and is favored across the board, from -200 to -550.
Watt won the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, after tying the NFL single-season sacks record. He was also a finalist in 2020 and 2019, losing to Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
The other finalists are Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Baun. Hendrickson’s odds range from +700 to +6,000, Garrett’s from +1,600 to +7,500 and Baun’s from +7,500 to +15,000.
The winner of the 2024 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year will be announced at NFL Honors, which will be held on Feb. 6 at Sanger Theater in New Orleans before Super Bowl LIX.
