T.J. Watt reaches rare NFL milestone
T.J. Watt added another rare milestone during Pittsburgh’s 20-13 Week 1 victory over Atlanta on September 13. His fourth-quarter interception gave him 10 career picks alongside 117 official sacks through 136 regular-season games.
That combination made Watt only the second NFL player since sacks became an official individual statistic in 1982 to reach at least 100 sacks and 10 interceptions, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers.
T.J. Watt turns interception into points
Watt intercepted Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush and returned the ball 35 yards for a touchdown. The play extended Pittsburgh’s fourth-quarter lead and gave Watt the second regular-season touchdown of his career.
The interception was Watt’s 10th career pick and first of the 2026 season. He also recorded two sacks, four tackles, three tackles for loss, and two quarterback hits against Atlanta.
T.J. Watt joins Julius Peppers
Julius Peppers is the only other player in the official sack era with at least 100 sacks and 10 interceptions. Watt joined that exclusive two-player group while beginning his 10th NFL season with Pittsburgh.
Peppers finished his 17-season career with 159.5 sacks and 11 interceptions across 266 games. Watt held 117 sacks and 10 picks through 136 regular-season appearances total after Pittsburgh’s 2026 opener.
T.J. Watt tied the sack record in 2021
Watt recorded 22.5 sacks in 2021, tying Michael Strahan’s NFL single-season record at the time. He led the league in sacks for the second consecutive season despite missing 2 full games. Myles Garrett later surpassed that mark with 23 sacks in the 2025 season.
Watt’s performance earned him the 2021 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Earlier Steelers winners included Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Lambert, Rod Woodson, James Harrison, and Troy Polamalu.
T.J. Watt reached 100 sacks quickly
Watt reached 100 career sacks in 2024 during his 109th regular-season game. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White reached that NFL milestone faster, accomplishing it in 96 games.
That 100-sack achievement placed Watt among the fastest pass rushers of the official sack era. He reached the milestone before turning 30 and became one of only three players to do so.
T.J. Watt tied the NFL sack record
Watt recorded 22.5 sacks during the 2021 season, tying Michael Strahan’s NFL single-season record. He also led the league in sacks for the second consecutive year despite missing two complete games.
That performance earned Watt the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. Previous Steelers winners included Joe Greene, Mel Blount, Jack Lambert, Rod Woodson, James Harrison, and Troy Polamalu.
T.J. Watt built a decorated résumé
Watt has earned 8 Pro Bowl selections and 4 Associated Press first-team All-Pro honors. His achievements also include the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award and a 22.5-sack season that tied the NFL record at the time.
Through Pittsburgh’s 2026 opener, Watt had recorded 117 sacks and 10 interceptions in 136 regular-season games. His career also includes 36 forced fumbles and 14 fumble recoveries, highlighting his ability to create turnovers as well as pressure quarterbacks.
T.J. Watt began as a converted tight end
Pittsburgh selected Watt with the 30th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft after his Wisconsin career. He switched from tight end to outside linebacker before developing into a first-round defensive prospect.
Watt recorded 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss during Wisconsin’s 2016 season. Pittsburgh viewed him as a developing defender because he had played only two college seasons on defense before entering the NFL.
T.J. Watt remains under contract
Watt signed a new four-year contract with Pittsburgh in July 2025. The agreement keeps him under contract through the 2028 season, when he will be 34 and completing his 12th NFL campaign.
The deal kept Pittsburgh’s career sack leader in place beyond 2026. Watt entered this season alongside veteran starter Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig among the Steelers’ primary outside linebacker group.
T.J. Watt affects more than passing plays
Week 1 showed Watt contributing in several ways. His interception touchdown, two sacks, and three tackles for loss affected Atlanta through pass rushing, run defense, and a turnover score during Pittsburgh’s seven-point victory.
Pittsburgh held Atlanta to 238 total yards in the 20-13 win. Watt’s 35-yard interception return produced a defensive touchdown and extended the Steelers’ lead to 20-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Fun fact: T.J. Watt grew up playing hockey and was so upset when his family quit the sport that he still remembered finally making a travel team.
T.J. Watt mirrors his rookie debut
Watt’s NFL debut against Cleveland in 2017 included an interception and two sacks. Nine years later, his 2026 opener against Atlanta again featured one interception and two sacks in a Pittsburgh victory.
Before entering the NFL, Watt switched from tight end to outside linebacker at Wisconsin. His Atlanta interception became the 10th of his professional career, and his first pick returned for a touchdown.
T.J. Watt enters his 10th NFL season
Watt entered 2026 at age 31 and began his 10th professional season with another NFL milestone. His career already included major pass-rushing records before the Atlanta game added his 10th interception.
Watt turns 32 on October 11. His Week 1 performance included two sacks, four tackles, three tackles for loss, and an interception that led to a touchdown, while Pittsburgh has him under contract through 2028.
CeeDee Lamb dropped from the Cowboys’ captain group for 2026, adding context to how Dallas is reshaping leadership responsibilities around Dak Prescott, other veterans, and the team’s expectations for the season ahead.
T.J. Watt strengthens Hall of Fame case
Hall of Fame selection will depend on future eligibility and voting, so no single statistic guarantees induction. Watt’s latest milestone adds a combination achieved by only one other player since individual sacks became official.
His résumé includes 117 sacks, 10 interceptions, eight Pro Bowl selections, four Associated Press first-team All-Pro honors, and the 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year award through Pittsburgh’s 2026 opener.
“Reluctant” Lamar Jackson reportedly holds back on Ravens extension talks, adding uncertainty to Baltimore’s long-term planning as the franchise weighs how to structure its future around its star quarterback.
T.J. Watt joined Julius Peppers in a remarkably small NFL club, but which achievement best strengthens Watt’s eventual Hall of Fame case? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.
Read More From This Brand:
