Steelers star outside linebacker T.J. Watt entered 2024 as a Defensive Player of the Year favorite, and it appears he’s still on that pace at the midseason mark.

Pro Football Network recently revealed their 2024 midseason awards, and Watt was named Defensive Player of the Year.

“Watt has been a one-man game-wrecker,” wrote PFN’s Adam H. Beasley. “His four forced fumbles (in nine games) lead the league. His 10 tackles for loss are tied for seventh. Watt also has two recovered fumbles and has three passes defensed.”

Watt’s sack numbers are a tad down — at least by his own lofty standards — with 6.5 at the midseason mark, but he’s still having no problem wrecking games.

Now, the question becomes whether or not Watt can remain the DPOY frontrunner until awards season begins in 2025. The Steelers star will have some tough competition in the likes of the Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson, who currently leads the NFL in sacks with 11, the Giants’ Dexter Lawrence, second in the NFL in sacks (nine) as a nose tackle, and even Lions’ safety Brian Branch, who’s logged four interceptions, 13 passes defensed, and six tackles for loss in a star turn this year.

“Watt gets the nod because the Bengals’ defense as a whole has not been good,” Beasley noted regarding Hendrickson’s candidacy.

The AFC North was well-represented in PFN’s Midseason Awards, with the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry earning MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors, respectively.

Watt, Jackson, and Henry will all see the field in Sunday’s matchup between the AFC North rivals.