Steelers LB T.J. Watt not the favorite for Defensive Player of the Year

Last season, a strong case could be made that Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt should have been Defensive Player of the Year. But despite having some ridiculous statistics, the league didn’t feel the same and instead went with what they know in Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

BetMGM has odds out for the 2021 Defensive Rookie of the Year and not only is Watt not the favorite, this time around they have two players with better odds.

Donald is the favorite at 4.5/1 odds and Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is next at 5/1. Watt is next with 7/1 odds.

Admittedly, there are some unknowns with Watt this season. It will be very interesting to see how Watt performs without Dub Dupree on the opposite side. Watt also led the league in sacks last season but with the lowest total since 1996. Pittsburgh distributes their pass rush opportunities, which will limit his numbers in comparison to Donald and Garrett who don’t have that type of balance around them on defense.