T.J. Watt

PRO CAREER

AWARDS

• 2021 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year
• 2021 PFWA Defensive Player of the Year
• 2021 Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year
• Seven-time Pro Bowler (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• Eight-time AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Weeks 1 and 5 of 2018; Week 2 of 2020; Weeks 6, 13 and 17 of 2021; Week 18 of 2023; Week 8 of 2024)
• Six-time NFL Top 100 (2019, 93; 2020, 25; 2021, 9; 2022, 6; 2023, 27; 2024, 8)
• Five-time Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) First Team All-NFL (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)
• Five-time Pittsburgh Steelers MVP (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)
• Five-time Sporting News First Team All-Pro (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)
• Four-time Associated Press First Team All-Pro (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)
• His four AP First Team All-Pro selections is tied for the fifth-most among active NFL players
• Four-time Steelers team captain (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• Four-time AFC Defensive Player of the Month (November 2019; September 2020; November 2020; September 2023)
• Three-time The Committee of 101 AFC Defensive Player of the Year (2020, 2021, 2023)
• Three-time Deacon Jones Award winner (2020, 2021, 2023)
• Three-time Pro Football Focus First Team All-Pro (2019, 2020, 2024)
• Two-time Associated Press Second Team All-Pro (2020, 2024)
• Two-time Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year Runner-up (2020, 2023)
• 2017 NFL All-Rookie Team

PRO CAREER

AWARDS

• 2021 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year
• 2021 PFWA Defensive Player of the Year
• 2021 Sporting News Defensive Player of the Year
• Seven-time Pro Bowler (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• Eight-time AFC Defensive Player of the Week (Weeks 1 and 5 of 2018; Week 2 of 2020; Weeks 6, 13 and 17 of 2021; Week 18 of 2023; Week 8 of 2024)
• Six-time NFL Top 100 (2019, 93; 2020, 25; 2021, 9; 2022, 6; 2023, 27; 2024, 8)
• Five-time Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) First Team All-NFL (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)
• Five-time Pittsburgh Steelers MVP (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)
• Five-time Sporting News First Team All-Pro (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)
• Four-time Associated Press First Team All-Pro (2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)
• His four AP First Team All-Pro selections is tied for the fifth-most among active NFL players
• Four-time Steelers team captain (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024)
• Four-time AFC Defensive Player of the Month (November 2019; September 2020; November 2020; September 2023)
• Three-time The Committee of 101 AFC Defensive Player of the Year (2020, 2021, 2023)
• Three-time Deacon Jones Award winner (2020, 2021, 2023)
• Three-time Pro Football Focus First Team All-Pro (2019, 2020, 2024)
• Two-time Associated Press Second Team All-Pro (2020, 2024)
• Two-time Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year Runner-up (2020, 2023)
• 2017 NFL All-Rookie Team

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Has played in 121 regular-season games (121 starts) over his eight-year NFL career (Steelers 2017-24)
• Has registered 460 tackles (330 solo), 225 quarterback hits, 126 tackles for loss, 108.0 sacks, 49 passes defensed, 33 forced fumbles, seven interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries
• Led the NFL with 22.5 sacks in 2021 (despite missing two full games and portions of four others), tying Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan (22.5 sacks in 2001) for the most in a season since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• Fifth player to reach 22.0 sacks in a single season since 1982
• Twelfth player (13th season) to reach 20.0 sacks in a single season since 1982
• Second Pittsburgh player overall and the first since James Harrison in 2008 to receive the Defensive Player of the Year award, annually given to the League's top defensive player
• First linebacker to win the award since Baltimore's Terrell Suggs in 2011 and the ninth overall linebacker presented the PFWA Defensive Player of the Year honor
• First player in franchise history to earn Steelers' Most Valuable Player in four consecutive seasons
• First player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to lead the League in sacks three times (2020, 2021 and 2023)
• Watt (three), Alan Page (three), Reggie White (three), Ray Lewis (three), Bruce Smith (three), Aaron Donald
  (four) and J.J. Watt (four) are the only players to win The Committee of 101 Defensive Player of the Year award at least three times in either conference since the inaugural event in 1969
• Joined Hall of Famer Joe Greene as the only two Steelers to win The Committee of 101 AFC Defensive Player of the Year award more than once (Greene won the award in 1972 and 1974)
• Averaged 0.89 sacks/game since entering the League back in 2017, which is the best in NFL history (min. 120 games started)
• His 108.0 career sacks are the third-most by a player in his first eight seasons in the NFL since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• His 108.0 career sacks are the most in franchise history
• His 108.0 career sacks are the most in the NFL since the start of the 2017 season
• Has registered 48.0 sacks in 45 career games vs. AFC North foes, which is the most by any player since the division was adopted after the restructuring of the 2002 NFL season when the League realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams
• Has registered 21.0 sacks in 22 career road games vs. AFC North foes, which is the second-most by any player since the division was adopted in 2002
• Has registered 17.0 sacks vs. Cleveland, 17.0 sacks vs. Baltimore and 14.0 sacks vs. Cincinnati
• His 17.0 sacks vs. Baltimore (16 career games) are the most against the Ravens in their franchise history -- James Harrison (16.0) is the only player in NFL history with 16.0+ sacks against Baltimore and it took him 27 career games
• Only player in franchise history with 17.0+ sacks against a single opponent (17.0 vs. CLE; 17.0 vs. BLT).
• Only other active NFL player with 17.0+ sacks against a single opponent is Cameron Jordan (24.0 vs. ATL; 17.0 vs. TB) -- each was accomplished in at least 28 career games
• Has registered double-digit sack seasons six times in his eight-year career
• His six double-digit sack seasons are the most by a Steeler since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• Surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware (113 games) as the second-fastest player to reach 100 career sacks since 1982 (did so in 109 games), when the individual sack became an official statistic
• Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (96) reached the milestone in fewer games
• Third player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with 100.0 career sacks prior to his 30th birthday, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White, 108.0, and Jared Allen, 105.0 (Watt turned 30 years old on Oct. 11, 2024)
• First player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to lead the League in sacks three times (2020, 2021 and 2023)
• Ranks among the top eight active players in strip sacks (2nd), forced fumbles (1st), QB hits (4th), fumble recoveries (t-4th), sacks (4th) and tackles for loss (t-7th)
• Only player in NFL history with at least at least 108.0 sacks, 125 tackles for loss, 225 QB hits, 33 forced fumbles, 23 strip sacks and 12 fumble recoveries
• Has registered 59.0 sacks in the second half/OT since the start of the 2017 season, which are the most in the NFL
• Has registered at least five QB hits, three tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble in the same game three times in his career, while the rest of the NFL, combined, has accomplished it seven times

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Recorded a career-high 4.0 sacks vs. Cleveland in Week 17 of 2021
• Has recorded at least two quarterback hits, two tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks in 17 different games since the start of the 2017 season, which is the most in the League over the span
• First player in franchise history with at least 19.0 sacks in multiple seasons
• Fourth player since 1982 with at least 19.0 sacks in two of his first eight NFL seasons, joining DeMarcus Ware, his brother, J.J. Watt and Mark Gastineau
• His two seasons with at least 19.0 sacks are tied for the most in NFL history
• Fifth player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with at least 15.0 sacks in three of his first eight seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (four), brother J.J. Watt (four), DeMarcus Ware (three) and Simeon Rice (three)
• His three seasons with at least 15.0 sacks are tied for the third-most in NFL history
• His four seasons with at least 14.0 sacks are the most by a Steelers player in their first eight seasons in the League
• His four seasons with at least 14.0 sacks are tied for the second-most in NFL history by a player in their first eight seasons in the League
• His four seasons with at least 14.0 sacks are tied for the fourth-most in NFL history
• Only player in franchise history with 13.0 or more sacks in multiple seasons (done it five times)
• Third player in NFL history with at least 14.5 sacks in three consecutive seasons (2019-21), joining Jared Allen (2007-09) and Reggie White (1986-88)
• Has sacked 49 different quarterbacks in his career, including 30 more than once (has sacked both Baker Mayfield and Lamar Jackson 8.5 times, more than he's sacked any other quarterback)
• Has registered at least half a sack against 28 different teams, at least 1.0 sack against 27 teams and multiple sacks against 21 teams
• Has recorded at least 1.0 sack in 68 career games, which is the fourth-most career games with at least 1.0 sack in a player's first eight NFL seasons since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• Fifth NFL player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to record at least 2.0 sacks in 25 or more games in his first eight seasons, only Reggie White (33), Jared Allen (28) and Simeon Rice (27) had more
• Has recorded at least 2.0 sacks in 25 career games, which is tied for the fourth-most in a player's first eight NFL seasons since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• Has registered at least 3.0 sacks in six career games, which is tied for the seventh-most in a player's first eight NFL seasons since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• Has recorded at least 1.0 sack in 68 career games, which is the second-most by a Steeler since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• Has registered at least 2.0 sacks in 25 career games, which is the most by a Steeler since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• Has recorded at least 3.0 sacks in six career games, which is tied for the most by a Steeler since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• His 68 career games with at least 1.0 sacks is tied for the seventh-most among active players since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• His 25 career games with at least 2.0 sacks is tied for the most among active players since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• His six career games with at least 3.0 sacks is tied for the most among active players since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• Has recorded at least 1.0 sack in 68 different games since the start of the 2017 season, which is the most in the League over the span
• Has registered at least 2.0 sacks in 25 different games since the start of the 2017 season, which is the most in the League over the span
• Has recorded at least 3.0 sacks in six different games since the start of the 2017 season, which is the most in the League over the span
• Registered the second-most sacks by a player in his first 100 career games since 1982 (91.5)
• Fourth player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to register 100.0 or more sacks, 30 or more forced fumbles and seven or more interceptions
• In 2023, Watt became the second player -- and first to do it twice -- since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with at least 19.0 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 36 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries
• In 2023, Watt ranked in the top-five in the NFL in sacks, tackles for loss, quarterback hits, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, which marked the season time in three years (2021, 2023) he has done so in the game season (J.J. Watt is the only other player to accomplish the feat since 2012)
• Only player since 1982 with 75.0 or more sacks and seven or more interceptions in his first seven NFL seasons, and only player to accomplish the feat in their first 100 games since 1982
• Only player since 1982 to register 80.0 or more sacks and 16 takeaways in their first 100 career games
• Second player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to record at least 13 in four consecutive seasons (2018-21), joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White, who did it twice (1985-88 and 1990-93)
• Joined Reggie White (four) as the only players to record at least 13 sacks in four of their first five seasons since 1982, when the individual sack became an official NFL statistic (recorded 13 sacks in 2018, 14.5 sacks in 2019, 15.0 sacks in 2020 and 22.5 sacks in 2021)
• Third player since 1982 to record at least 70 sacks over his first five seasons, joining Reggie White (81) and J.J. Watt (74.5)
• His 225 QB hits are tied for the second-most over a player's first eight seasons in NFL history
• His 225 QB hits since entering the NFL in 2017 are the most in the League over the span
• His 225 QB hits are the fourth-most by an active NFL player
• His 126 tackles for loss are the third-most over a player's first eight seasons in NFL history
• His 126 tackles for loss since entering the NFL in 2017 are the most in the League over the span
• His 126 tackles for loss are tied for the seventh-most by an active NFL player
• His 23 strip sacks since entering the NFL in 2017 are the most in the League over the span
• His 23 strip sacks are the second-most by an active NFL player
• His 23 strip sacks are the most by a Steelers player since 2000
• His 33 forced fumbles are the third-most over a player's first eight seasons in NFL history
• His 33 forced fumbles since entering the NFL in 2017 are the most in the League over the span
• His 33 forced fumbles are the third-most by an active NFL player
• His 33 forced fumbles are tied for the 12th-most in the NFL since 1994
• His 33 forced fumbles are the most by a Steelers player since 1994
• His 12 fumble recoveries are the second-most in the NFL since the start of the 2017 season
• His 44 combined interceptions (six), forced fumbles (26) and fumble recoveries (12) are the most in the NFL since 2019
• Has recorded 67.5 sacks at Acrisure Stadium, including at least half a sack in 42 of the last 52 home games, the most sacks over a player's first 62 career home games in NFL history
• Reached 100.0+ sacks in his 109th career game, which is the second-fewest games to that total since 1982
• Reached 95.0+ sacks in his 104th career game, which is the second-fewest games to that total since 1982
• Reached 90.0+ sacks in his 98th career game, which is the second-fewest games to that total since 1982
• Reached 85.0+ sacks in his 92nd career game, which is the second-fewest games to that total since 1982
• Reached 80.0+ sacks in his 88th career game, which is the second-fewest games to that total since 1982
• Reached 75.0+ sacks in his 84th career game, which is the third-fewest games to that total since 1982
• Reached 70.0+ sacks in his 76th career game, which is the third-fewest games to that total since 1982
• Reached 60.0+ sacks in his 69th career game, which is the fourth-fewest games to that total since 1982
• Reached 50.0+ sacks in his 63rd career game, which is the 10th-fewest games to that total since 1982
• Made NFL debut in Week 1 of 2017 (at Cleveland)
• Made NFL starting debut in Week 1 of 2017 (at Cleveland)

2024 (STEELERS)

• Started all 17 regular-season games
• Registered 61 tackles (40 solo), 11.5 sacks, four passes defensed, 19 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, six forced fumbles, three strip sacks, two takeaways and two fumble recoveries
• Ranked in the top eight in strip sacks (t-1st), forced fumbles (1st), QB hits (6th), fumble recoveries (t-7th), sacks (8th) and tackles for loss (2nd)
• Only player in the NFL that ranks among the top eight in the League in the above categories
• Finished with seven tackles (five solo), two QB hits, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and 2.0 sacks in Week 15 at Philadelphia
• Had three tackles (three solo), five QB hits, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble and 2.0 sacks in Week 13 at Cincinnati
• Third player in the NFL to collect at least five QB hits, three tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble in the same game and first to do it on the road
• In the 18-16 victory vs. Baltimore in Week 11, finished with three tackles (three solo), two QB hits, two tackles for loss and 1.0 sack. He recorded his 35th career game with at least two TFL
• Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 8 vs. N.Y. Giants
• Finished with seven tackles (five solo), two QB hits, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 2.0 sacks

2023 (STEELERS)

• Started all 17 regular-season games
• Registered 68 tackles (40 solo), 36 quarterback hits, 19 tackles for loss, 19.0 sacks, eight passes defensed, one interception, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries
• Named a defensive team captain for the third time as voted on by his teammates
• First player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to lead the League in sacks three times (2020, 2021 and 2023)
• Surpassed his brother J.J. Watt, Reggie White, DeMarcus Ware, Michael Strahan, Kevin Greene, Mark Gastineau and Jared Allen, who each led the League in sack twice
• His 19.0 sacks were the most in the NFL
• Recorded a sack in 13 of 17 games, with multiple sacks in seven games
• Intercepted a pass from Rams QB Matthew Stafford at the Rams' 31-yard line and returned it 24 yards to setup a Steelers' touchdown that gave them a 10-9 third-quarter lead in Week 7
• Registered his first interception of the season and seventh of his career (2017-23)
• With 3.0 sacks and a fumble recovery in Week 1 and 1.0 sack with one fumble recovery in Week 2, first player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with a sack and fumble recovery in three of his team's first five games of a season
• First player to record 6.0 sacks and have a defensive TD in a team's first three games of a season since individual sacks were first tracked in 1982
• Registered four tackles (two solo), four quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery (returned for a TD) in Week 2 vs. Cleveland
• Recorded five tackles (five solo), 3.0 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one strip sack, one tackle for loss, one pass defensed and five quarterback hits in the Week 1 vs. San Francisco
• First player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic by the NFL, to register such a stat line
• Registered a quarterback hit in 15 of 17 games, with multiple quarterback hits in 12 games
• Recorded a tackle for loss hit in 12 of 17 games, with multiple tackles for loss in six games

2022 (STEELERS)

• Played in and started nine games (spent Weeks 2 through 9 on injured reserve)
• Registered 39 tackles (27 solo), 12 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, five passes defensed and one interception
• Named a defensive team captain for the second time as voted on by his teammate
• Helped the team achieve a record of 8-2 while he was in the lineup as opposed to a 1-6 record when he was not in the lineup, along with 100 fewer total yards allowed per game (289.9 with, 389.9 without), four times as many sacks (32 with, eight without) and nearly four times as many takeaways (18 with, five without)
• One of three players in the League this season with at least 5.5 sacks and multiple interceptions despite missing seven games
• Recorded six tackles (all solo), three for loss, two passes defensed, one interception, one quarterback hit and 1.0 sack at Cincinnati in Week 1 before leaving the game with an injury
• Registered six tackles (two solo), 0.5 sack, one QB hit, one interception and two passes defensed in his home debut in Week 11 vs. Cincinnati
• Became the third-fastest player to reach 75.0 sacks since 1982 with 1.5 sacks in his 84th career game in Week 15 at Carolina
• Registered four tackles (three solo), 1.0 sack, two tackles for loss and two QB hits vs. Baltimore in Week 17, marking his eighth-consecutive game with at least 0.5 sack and sixth-consecutive game with at least 1.0 sack vs. Baltimore
• Recorded a tackle for loss in each of the last four games and 1.0 sack in three of the last four games

2021 (STEELERS)

• Played in 15 regular-season games (15 starts)
• Led the NFL with 22.5 sacks (despite missing two full games and portions of four others), tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan (22.5 sacks in 2001) for the most in a season since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic
• In addition to his 22.5 sacks, he also led the NFL in tackles for loss (21), quarterback hits (39) and fumble recoveries (three)
• Registered 64 tackles (48 solo), seven passes defensed and five forced fumbles
• Led the NFL in 2021 with 1.50 sacks per game (min. 12 games)
• His average of 1.50 sacks per game in 2021 is the second-highest in single season NFL history (min. 12 games)
• Registered 22.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss and 39 quarterback hits in 2021 -- all of which lead the NFL
• Seventh player to lead the NFL in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits in the same season since 2006 when quarterback hits became an officially recognized statistic
• Fifth player to reach 22.0 sacks in a single season since 1982
• Twelfth player (13th season) to reach 20.0 sacks in a single season since 1982
• Joined Reggie White (1987-88) and Mark Gastineau (1983-84) as the only players to lead the NFL in sacks in back-to-back seasons
• Registered at least 1.5 sacks in nine games (most in NFL)
• Joined Reggie White (1987 – NFL Defensive Player of the Year) as the only players to have nine games with 1.5-plus sacks in a season
• Pittsburgh was 8-2-1 in games in which he had 1.0-plus sacks and 1-5 in games he didn't record a sack
• Recorded 12.5 sacks in the second half and overtime (most in NFL)
• Only four players had more sacks in the second half and overtime (12.5) than him since 2000
• Registered five tackles, including a career-high 4.0 sacks, three tackles for loss, two passes defensed and five QB hits in Week 17 vs. Cleveland
• Recorded 3.5 sacks in Week 13 vs. Baltimore

2020 (STEELERS)

• Named a defensive captain for the first time
• Started all 15 games he played in during the regular season and one playoff game
• Recorded 15.0 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 41 quarterback hits -- third player since at least 2006 to record at least 15.0 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 40 quarterback hits in a season (J.J. Watt; 2012, 2014, 2015 and Aaron Donald; 2018)
• In addition to his 15.0 sacks, 23 tackles for loss and 41 quarterback hits, which all led the NFL, had seven passes defended, two forced fumbles and one interception
• Seventh player to lead the NFL in sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hits in the same season since 2006
• His 15.0 sacks, which were a single-season high for him, led the NFL
• His 15.0 sacks ranked tied for second in single-season franchise history
• Eleventh player to register at least 15.0 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in a single season since 1999
• His 41 quarterback hits ranked tied for fifth since the NFL started recognizing the statistic in 2006

2019 (STEELERS)

• Started all 16 games
• Ranked first or second on the Steelers in sacks (14.5, 1st), tackles for loss (14, 2nd), quarterback hits (36, 1st), forced fumbles (eight, 1st) and fumble recoveries (four, t-1st)
• Ranked in the top-five in the NFL in sacks (t-4th), quarterback hits (3rd), forced fumbles (t-1st) and fumble recoveries (t-2nd)
• His 14.5 sacks ranked third in single-season franchise history
• First Steelers player with at least a half sack in nine consecutive games since LaMarr Woodley had a streak of 10 such games (franchise record) that spanned the 2009 and 2010 seasons
• His streak of nine straight games with at least a half sack, which was the longest active streak in the League at the time, came to an end in the 2019 Week 14 victory at Arizona
• His nine-game streak was tied for the fifth-longest in NFL single season history
• First Steelers player with back-to-back seasons of at least 10 sacks since James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley (2008-10)
• Nearly became the first player in the NFL to rank in the top-five in sacks, tackles for loss, quarterback hits, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries in a season since Houston Texans' J.J. Watt in 2014
• Only NFL player since 2008 to have at least 14 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 36 quarterback hits, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in a season
• His 14 combined interceptions (two), forced fumbles (eight) and fumble recoveries (four) were the most by an NFL player since Chicago Bears' Charles Tillman in 2012 (15)
• His 14 combined interceptions (two), forced fumbles (eight) and fumble recoveries (four) were tied for the second-most by an NFL player since 2000
• His six total takeaways (interceptions and fumble recoveries) ranked tied for fourth in the NFL
• Only NFL player since 1990 to register at least two interceptions, four fumble recoveries and eight forced fumbles in a single season

2018 (STEELERS)

• Started all 16 games
• His 13.0 sacks ranked tied for the seventh-most by a Steeler in a single-season since the stat became official in 1982 (Chad Brown, 1996)
• Set a single-season career-high with 13.0 sacks – becoming the first Steelers' linebacker with 10 or more sacks in a season since 2010 (James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley) and tied for the ninth-most by a Steeler in a single-season since the stat became official in 1982
• First Steelers linebacker since 2013-14 (Jason Worilds) to record back-to-back seasons with at least 7.0 sacks
• Tallied 6.0 sacks through the first five weeks of the season, becoming the first Steeler with at least 6.0 sacks through the first five games of a season since 2009 (James Harrison, 6.0)
• His six defensive forced fumbles tied as the second-most by a Steeler in a single season since 1994 (James Harrison, 2008: seven)
• Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 1 performance at Cleveland
• Totaled single-game career highs in tackles (10 total/seven solo) and sacks (3.0)
• His 3.0 quarterback takedowns vs. Browns marked the second multi-sack game of his NFL career, both occurring on Kickoff Weekends (Sept. 10, 2017 at Cleveland and Sept. 9, 2018 at Cleveland)
• Blocked what could have been a game-winning field goal by Cleveland in OT
• Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 5 performance vs. Atlanta
• Led all defenders with game highs in tackles (eight total/six solo) and sacks (3.0)
• His 3.0 sacks marked the third multi-sack game of his NFL career and second of 2018 – matching a single-game career high (3.0, Sept. 9, 2018 at Cleveland)
• Forced a fumble on his third sack of QB Matt Ryan, in the fourth quarter, which was recovered by LB L.J. Fort in the Falcons' end zone for a touchdown
• Recorded a 12-yard strip-sack of Carolina QB Cam Newton in the second quarter (11/8), which increased his career sack total to 15.0 – tying Keith Willis (1982-83) for the second-most by a Steeler in their first two seasons in the NFL with the team since sacks became an official statistic in 1982
• Recorded 2.0 sacks, his third multi-sack game of his 2018 season, and the fourth of his NFL career vs. Jacksonville (11/18)
• Surpassed LaMarr Woodley for the most by a Steeler in their first two seasons in the NFL with the team since sacks became an official statistic in 1982

2017 (STEELERS)

• Started all 15 games he played in during the regular season and one playoff game
• His 7.0 sacks were the second-most by a rookie in Steelers history
• His 7.0 sacks led all NFL rookie linebackers and tied for the second-most among all League rookies
• Only NFL linebacker to finish the regular season with at least 50 tackles (52), 5.0 sacks (7.0), five passes defensed (eight) and one interception (one)
• Third player in NFL history and first on Kickoff Weekend to record 2.0 sacks and an interception in an NFL debut, joining Charles Glaze (Oct. 4, 1987) and Tommy Haynes (Oct. 4, 1987)
• First Steeler with at least 2.0 sacks in their NFL debut since sacks became an official statistic in 1982 (previous mark, 1.5, Kenny Davidson, Sept. 9, 1990 at Cleveland)
• First Steeler with at least 2.0 sacks and an interception in the same game since 2010 (LaMarr Woodley, Dec. 12 vs. Cincinnati)

College

• Played in 27 games with 14 starts over a two-year span (2015-16) for Wisconsin
• Totaled 70 tackles, 17.0 TFLs and 11.5 sacks in his career
• Named Academic All-Big Ten for two straight years (2015-16)
• Named first-team All-American by ESPN.com and Sports Illustrated, and a second-team All-American by the AP, CBS Sports and Fox Sports as a redshirt junior in 2016
• Named first-team All-Big Ten in 2016
• Recorded 11.5 sacks in 2016, the fifth-most in a single season in school history
• Moved to defense during the spring of 2015, and was part of a defense that ranked No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to 13.7 points per game
• Missed the entire 2014 season due to injury
• Redshirted in 2013
• Recruited to Wisconsin as a tight end
• Graduated with a degree in retailing and consumer behavior

Personal