Five years into his career, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has already left his mark on NFL history. He is a four-time Pro Bowler, a three-time All-Pro, and now, a Defensive Player of the Year Award recipient. He also holds the NFL’s all-time single-season sack record, shared with Michael Strahan. And he’s just 27 years old, in the prime of his career.
Already the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history, Watt proved in 2021 that money was not his motivating factor. You don’t set records right after you get three years guaranteed in salary if that’s what you were after.