T.J. Watt sets Steelers career sacks record, wins game with first career touchdown

J.J. Watt just finished his second week as a studio analyst for CBS, but you can forgive him if he sets aside journalistic neutrality for one particular player.

"TJ WATT is the best defensive player on the planet," J.J. posted Monday night. "Stop trying to question it, stop trying to justify anyone else. He is the best. Period."

Even if he's biased, is he wrong?

T.J., the youngest of the three Watt brothers, had a remarkable night in leading the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 26-22 win over the Cleveland Browns. On the same night he became the franchise's all-time career sacks leader, he also scooped up a fumble and returned it for a decisive touchdown in the fourth quarter. It was his first career touchdown.

Alex Highsmith sacked and stripped Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson with just more than 7 minutes left inside Cleveland's own red zone. The 16-yard fumble return for a score flipped a close loss to a Week 2 victory and 1-1 start to the year.

Earlier in the game, Watt — who recorded three sacks in Week 1 and entered the game tied with James Harrison for the franchise's all-time sack lead — got his fourth of the year. With 81½, he stands alone in Steelers history. Watt's 22½ in 2021, the year he won NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is tied with Michael Strahan for the single-season NFL record. Sacks became an official stat in 1982.

“I’d be lying to you if I said it wasn’t special,” Watt said to Mike DeFabo at The Athletic. “There’s so many people along the way that helped me get to where I am. I can’t stand the individual awards in football just because (Harrison) himself helped me so much my rookie year. He didn’t have to. No one asked him to, but he wanted to, and I appreciate him for that."

In J.J.'s first year of retirement, middle brother Derek did not sign with an NFL team after three seasons as T.J.'s teammate in Pittsburgh. That leaves the youngest Watt alone in the NFL, where his family has already left a legacy along with Pewaukee High School and the University of Wisconsin.

Could T.J. possibly match J.J.'s three Defensive Player of the Year awards by the time J.J. gains induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in at least five seasons? T.J. has already started down that path.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: T.J. Watt sets Steelers sacks record, wins game with touchdown