TJ Watt of the Steelers was’snubbed’ from many Defensive Player of the Year accolades, according to Aaron Donald

Given all of his career statistics and accomplishments, it should come as no surprise that TJ Watt is currently among the finest defensive players in the NFL. But if you ask Aaron Donald, another former all-star defense, he feels that Watt deserves even more recognition than he currently has.

Donald, who announced his retirement earlier this summer, put an end to a Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Rams. If anyone understands anything about being a superstar defense, it’s Donald. Although Watt was named the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, Donald believes that Watt should have won a few more awards by now and that he has been overlooked for the honor on a few occasions.

Despite finishing in the top three for Defensive Player of the Year four times, Watt has only won it once despite being one of the league’s most dominant players since 2017. That occurred in 2021, when he registered a league-high 22.5 sacks, 21 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles, and 39 quarterback hits to lead the league.

Naturally, it’s important to remember that in 2020, in what is regarded as the finest season overall for the Rams legends’ careers, Donald defeated Watt to win the trophy. Stephon Gilmore, a cornerback, defeated Watt in 2019; in 2023, Watt came in just short of Myles Garrett. Given the intense competition, it’s likely that he would already be the recipient of numerous accolades.

Though it appears that Garrett, Micah Parsons, and Maxx Crosby may still challenge him for the prize in the future, Watt should be relieved that he won’t be up against Donald. Throughout his career, Donald placed in the top three twice and won three times in total.

While athletes will always feel left out, Watt’s successful seasons have just come at the wrong time. Even though Watt led the NFL in sacks for the third time in his career, Gilmore had one of the best seasons as a cornerback in NFL history in 2019, Donald was unstoppable in 2020, and Garrett was the best defensive player overall in 2023.

Although Watt has had some injuries recently, he hasn’t shown any symptoms of slowing down when he’s been on the field. Watt will turn 30 in 2024. If he continues to play at the caliber he has shown over the last few years, he will undoubtedly add another DPOY trophy to his collection, and if that happens, Donald probably won’t be too upset about it.