At least T.J. Watt moved up a spot.
It wasn't enough, however, to win AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. That award went to former Pitt and current Rams star Aaron Donald in a vote announced Saturday night at the NFL Honors event.
The award is the third in Donald's career. Donald received 27 votes, Watt 20 and Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard three.
Watt led the NFL with 15 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss. He also had 53 tackles, 7 pass defenses, an interception and two forced fumbles in 15 games, sitting out the team's regular season finale. He finished third in the voting in 2019 behind Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Donald. This past season, Donald had 45 tackles, 13.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss from his defensive tackle position.
Watt posted a wordless reaction on Twitter:
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) February 7, 2021
Big brother, though, didn't stay silent:
Aaron Donald is an absolutely incredible player. I love watching him play & he’s headed to the Hall of Fame without question. This has nothing to do with AD personally.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) February 7, 2021
This is me saying what my brother won’t.
TJ played 1 less game and STILL led the NFL in every major category. pic.twitter.com/m1vzrD88WU
Neither did some of the Steelers:
I feel for TJ Watt mane. He deserves this award. AD my brother, and a BEASTbut TJ deserved that.
— Eric Ebron (@Ebron85) February 7, 2021
"T.J. is visiting from another planet, to be quite honest with you," Mike Tomlin said of Watt earlier this year. "He has freakishly unique talent coupled with freakishly unique work habits and mindset, and it produces what you guys witness every week, which in my opinion, is Defensive Player of the Year quality."
But not quite good enough to win the award, which is voted on by select group of media who cover the NFL.
Watt did win the Deacon Jones Award, which is given to the player who leads the NFL in sacks each season. But that was already known.
Donald joins Watt's older brother, J.J. Watt, as a three-time winner of the award. J.J. Watt was voted Defensive Player of the Year in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Hall of Fame member Lawrence Taylor also won the award three times.