T.J. Watt had a solid 2024 season, but his late struggles raise questions about his finalist spot for Defensive Player of the Year.

Two Wisconsin natives are among the finalists for NFL defensive player of the year. Also, each NFL team remaining has a UW alumnus on the roster.

After winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award a year ago, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is once again a finalist.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt was named a Defensive Player of the Year finalist. Watt, who was a longtime favorite to win the award but has now dropped in odds, had at least one vote go his way to earn his way onto the finalist panel.

On Thursday, the NFL announced finalists for all of the major end-of-the-year awards. The Pittsburgh Steelers were shut out of all the awards except for Defensive Player of the Year where outside linebacker T.J. Watt hangs on to an outside chance.