Steelers’ Super Bowl hopes could miss TJ Watt as star awaits birth of first child
TJ Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers are in the AFC playoff conversation halfway through the 2024 NFL season. Even with a quarterback change from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson, they are 6-2 and at the top of the AFC North division rankings.
If the Steelers were to continue with their success this season and make a Super Bowl appearance, it could be without one of their stars. MLFootball shared a post on X on Wednesday reminding fans that Watt and his wife Dani are expecting their first child in February. The 2025 Super Bowl will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana on Feb. 9.
Her exact due date is unknown, as well as if the Pittsburgh Steelers' success will continue. The couple announced that they were expecting their first child in September, just days before the season started.
Is TJ Watt on his way to winning another "Defensive Player of the Year" award?
Amazon Prime asked NFL fans to vote for midseason awards. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was voted MVP and his teammate Derrick Henry was named midseason Offensive Player of the Year. Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt received the most votes for midseason Defensive Player of the Year.
TJ Watt was named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and may be on pace to win the award again. Through the first eight games of the season, he has four forced fumbles, which is tied for first in the NFL. He is second in tackles for loss with 10 and fifth for quarterback hits with nine. He also has 6.5 sacks, good for ninth in the league.
As of Tuesday, Sports Betting Dime has Watt at +105 odds to win the Defensive Player of the Year award this season. Kansas City Chiefs' Chris Jones has the next-best odds with +1000. NFL fans will get to see both defensive stars in action on Christmas Day when the Steelers face the Chiefs.
If TJ Watt wins his second Defensive Player of the Year award, he will inch closer to his brother, JJ Watt, who won it three times.