Aaron Donald Passes Torch to Steelers' T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Steelers star TJ Watt is the best defensive player in the NFL, according to one legend.

May 24, 2022; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt (90) participates in | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

PITTSBURGH-- NFL legend Aaron Donald didn’t get to name a specific successor to his title as best defensive player in the NFL but he has an idea of who should take up that mantle and he thinks that player is with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Donald said during an appearance on theGreen Light Podcast with Chris Long that Steelers superstar TJ Watt deserves recognition as the best defensive player in the NFL following Donald’s retirement earlier this spring.

“If you wanna say that next guy, that defensive player, I would say right now it’s T.J. Watt,” Donald said. “If you’re talking about that’s doing it year in, year out, consistently, that’s going to get you 15, 13, damn, 22 sacks. He’s the one that’s been doing it consistently.”

Donald has gotten the better of Watt in a couple of Defensive Player of the Year award races, but there is still tons of mutual respect there.

“Interceptions every year. Touchdowns. His stats are ridiculous every single year,” Donad said. “I feel like he’s that guy to me. I know you’ve got Micah Parsons coming up. Myles Garrett. You’ve got a bunch of good players. But from the time I first saw T.J. Watt to the last year, he’s consistently been dominating in this league. Just a lot of respect for him, and I think he’s that guy.”

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