Le'Veon Bell: Steelers' TJ Watt Absolutely Robbed Because NFL Is "Tired Of Writing Watt" On DPOY "Ya'll Just too Good"

For the fourth time in his career, Pittsburgh Steelers star outside linebacker, TJ Watt was once again a finalist for the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2023-24 NFL season. The award was more than likely going to come down between Watt and Cleveland Browns defensive end, Myles Garrett. Garrett was favored to win all season long, although the stats would disagree. Cleveland's star would go on to win at the NFL Honors Ceremony Thursday night in Las Vegas for the first time in his career.

Former running back for the Steelers, Le'Veon Bell chimed in about the decision to award Garrett. Bell spent only one season with the linebacker in Pittsburgh, this would be Watt's rookie season and Bell's final hurrah before sitting out a year. 

"How didn't TJ Watt win DPOY," questioned Bell from his X account.

Bell, much like a surplus of NFL fans across the media, are puzzled by the DPOY selection. This is the second time in Watt's tenure that he has been arguably robbed of the award, going back to 2020 when the award was handed to Los Angeles Rams' star defensive tackle, Aaron Donald. The three-time sack king expressed his frustrations Thursday night after the ceremony.

Watt is coming off one of his best seasons of his career. The stud only seems to be getting better and better season by season. For viewers like us and Bell, it's easy to see his dominance in the league. Unfortunately for Watt and Pittsburgh, the star suffered an apparent knee injury just before the playoffs. This would ultimately end any and all hopes of doing any sort of damage in the postseason and add to his already stellar resume. But Watt and crew will be back next season ready to go for Pittsburgh, and now, he has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder. Look out for Watt and Pittsburgh's defense next season as they are going to be brutal.

"JJ Watt won defensive player of the year too many times .. they tired of writing 'Watt' next to DPOY … so in reality, it’s really nothin TJ could’ve done to win DPOY .. lol TJ, blame ya bro, y’all just too good," posted Bell.

Brother JJ Watt was a three-time DPOY (2012, 2014, 2015) for the Houston Texans. The Watts are the first pair of brothers in NFL history to both withhold the award. Bell points out that the two are so dominant, saying the NFL wouldn't have given the award to Watt no matter how good of a season he had. 

Steelers' Watt Dominates The Stat Board

Let's dive into the statistics though. It seems that Watt beat out Garrett in almost every single major defensive statistic this season. Watt finished the season with 19 sacks, 48 tackles, 20 assists, 8 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles, 3 recoveries, 1 interception, and even a touchdown. Meanwhile, on the other side of the AFC North, Garrett finished with 14 sacks, 33 tackles, 9 assists, 3 pass deflections, 0 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles with 1 recovery. Yes, technically they play different positions. Who cares? The difference between the numbers are so drastic that it shouldn't matter. 

Bell has also come out and said that he would like to make a return to the Steelers next season. The chances of his return to Pittsburgh are low, but not none. The Steelers already have a great pair of running backs in the backfield with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. But maybe there is still something left in Bell that could help this Steelers' struggling offense. Bell was known for being a utility back, and was great in the passing game. 

What do you think, Steeler Nation? was Watt robbed again from the DPOY Award? Comment below!

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