T.J. Watt’s Odds to Win Annual NFL Award Continue to Rise

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt is gaining momentum in his pursuit of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. According to ratings provider Kalshi Sports, Watt now has the best odds at 21% to win the 2026 DPOY award, sharing the lead with Detroit Lions Aidan Hutchinson. This marks a significant improvement, up 9% from the previous week when Watt ranked third.

In Week 2, Watt continued to showcase his skills with four tackles, two sacks, one pass defensed, one interception, and a touchdown, tying him with Hutchinson in performance. The other top contenders include Will Anderson Jr. with 16%, Fred Warner with 14%, and Abdul Carter with 7%. Watt's resurgence follows a disappointing 2025 season where he had only seven sacks, a stark contrast to his usual double-digit sack totals in recent years.

Despite this, Watt seems undeterred, determined to earn his second Defensive Player of the Year award and prove his doubters wrong.