We are halfway through our Pittsburgh Steelers midseason awards, with MVP and Offensive Player of the Year both going to Jaylen Warren. Well, this will be an award the star running back can’t win, because today we are handing out our mid-season Defensive Player of the Year. Let’s dive in.
Ryan Parish – EDGE T.J. Watt: This was a tough one. Patrick Graham has this unit playing well and it’s stronger as a collective rather than one player outshining the rest. Cases could be made for Cam Heyward, Keeanu
Benton, Jalen Ramsey, Patrick Queen or even Payton Wilson. But Watt and his 7.5 sacks are the splashiest, and his return to form this season has been a joy to watch.
Ryland Bickley – EDGE T.J. Watt: It’s tempting to get creative here: Jamel Dean essentially won the Steelers the Buccaneers game and has been essential in keeping the secondary alive without Joey Porter Jr. Keeanu Benton and Cam Heyward have led a dominating defensive line. But at the time of writing, Watt is tied for the NFL lead in sacks at midseason and continues to draw plenty of attention to open up opportunities for the rest of the front seven.
Joey Bray – EDGE T.J. Watt: Much like Ryan and Ryland, I want to branch out here, but Watt is the easy choice here. The Steelers unit is well on their way to being a top 10 scoring defense for the first time since 2023. Watt is the leader of it all, ties for the league lead in sacks through eight weeks.
Austin Bechtold – EDGE T.J. Watt: Watt already has more sacks through eight games as he did in 14 last year. He recorded his first career pick-six against the Falcons and has benefitted from a reduced snap count. Patrick Graham is keeping Watt fresh with his usage and while you’d want Watt out there for as many snaps as possible, it’s working well. Watt looks like himself again.
Mike Nicastro – EDGE T.J. Watt: There are several worthy candidates on Pittsburgh’s defense, including Jalen Ramsey, Keeanu Benton and Cameron Heyward. However, my vote goes to the player who continues to set the standard for the Steelers’ defense: T.J. Watt. Watt has been a consistent disruptive force and has made his presence felt under defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. When he’s on the field, opposing offenses have to account for him on virtually every passing down.
Jason Aponte – EDGE T.J. Watt: Who else? Alex Highsmith has been excellent this season, but 7.5 sacks for Watt, with some game-breaking plays, push him to the top of the list. With 25 pressures, 14 hurries, three QB hits, and 19 pressures in true pass sets, to go with five sacks, 12 hurries, and two QB hits, Watt remains a force for the defensive line.
Jarrett Bailey – EDGE T.J. Watt: Yeah, we’re all going chalk here. Watt has turned back the clock, as he was tied for the league lead in sacks going into the Steelers’ bye week. He’s already topped his 2025 season total in sacks, and he is back to being the disruptive player that made him a Defensive Player of the Year Award winner. It’s been great to see No. 90 look like himself again.
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