Latest news with #DefensivePlayeroftheYearAward
USA Today
26-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin legend included in ESPN's list of top edge rushers entering 2025 NFL season
Former Wisconsin football icon T.J. Watt was included in ESPN's list of the top 10 edge rushers entering the 2025 NFL season earlier this month. Watt, who became the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history on July 17, landed at No. 2 on the list behind Cleveland Browns superstar and future Hall of Fame inductee Myles Garrett. Dallas Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons (No. 3), Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby (No. 4), San Francisco 49ers stronghold Nick Bosa (No. 5), Cincinnati Bengals sack machine Trey Hendrickson (No. 6), Detroit Lions rising star Aidan Hutchinson (No. 7), Houston Texans edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. (No. 8) and Danielle Hunter (No. 9) and Los Angeles Ram Jared Verse (No. 10) rounded out the list. As one of the most dominant defensive players in Pittsburgh Steelers history, Watt's position on the ranking is close to irrefutable. As a 30-year-old in 2024, the former Badger tallied 61 tackles, 11 1/2 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, a league-best six forced fumbles and four pass deflections in 17 games for Mike Tomlin's squad. With eight full seasons on his professional resume, Watt has led the league in sacks three times (2020, 2021, 2023), been named to four First-Team All-Pro squads (2019-21, 2023) and reeled in one Defensive Player of the Year Award (2021). Since he entered the NFL, the Pewaukee, Wisconsin, native has accumulated 108 career sacks, 126 tackles for loss, 33 forced fumbles and 225 quarterback hits. Here's what ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, backed by a survey of dozens of NFL league executives, coaches and scouts, had to say about Watt's place in the hierarchy: "Watt is a worthy rival to Garrett in the AFC North. His 108 career sacks rank third all-time for a player's first eight seasons, behind Reggie White (124) and DeMarcus Ware (111). He's a near-lock for an All-Pro team every year. And he leads the NFL in forced fumbles (10) over the past two seasons, along with being second in sacks (30.5) and quarterback hits (63)... 'He's still the gold standard for me," a veteran AFC defensive coach said. "He completely wrecks a game and he can do everything.'" At No. 31 on the NFL's official sack list, Watt could climb to as high as No. 20 next season. That journey begins with a showdown against the New York Jets on Sunday, Sept. 7, at MetLife Stadium. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
GMA Network
23-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
NBA: Marcus Smart signs with Lakers following buyout
Marcus Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies prior to the 2023-24 season and played in 19 games before he was again dealt to the Wizards (15 games) this past February. He averaged 9.0 points and 3.2 assists overall./File photo/Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Lakers officially signed veteran point guard Marcus Smart on Tuesday, three days after it was reported he agreed to a contract buyout with the Washington Wizards. The former NBA Defensive Player of the Year signed a two-year, $11 million deal with Los Angeles after clearing waivers, ESPN reported. The Lakers did not confirm the financial terms. "Adding a player like Marcus Smart to our roster allows us to compete at the highest level," Lakers president of basketball operations and GM Rob Pelinka said in a statement. "Marcus epitomizes what it means to prioritize winning above all else -- whether that's making huge plays on the defensive end or hitting critical shots in key moments of the most intense games. He knows and understands playoff winning and will be a key leadership voice in our group. Surrounding our stars with two-way players like Marcus is critical to our overall vision of how we want to play and win next season. This is an exciting player acquisition, for sure." At an introductory press conference Tuesday, Smart said Lakers star Luka Doncic helped recruit him to Los Angeles. "When you get a guy like Luka calling ... checking on you, trying to see where you're at, to see if you want to come join something special that he's trying to cook up over here," Smart said. "For him to say that he can really use my help, that meant a lot." Smart was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies prior to the 2023-24 season and played in 19 games before he was again dealt to the Wizards (15 games) this past February. He averaged 9.0 points and 3.2 assists overall. But he's best known for his first nine NBA seasons in Boston, during which he helped the Celtics reach the postseason every year. He was a three-time First-Team All-Defense selection and won the Defensive Player of the Year Award for the 2021-22 campaign. In 635 career games with the Celtics (2014-23), Grizzlies (2023-25) and Wizards, Smart has averaged 10.6 points, 4.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. — Field Level Media/Reuters
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What the experts are saying about Marcus Smart coming to the Lakers
When free agency started across the NBA a few weeks ago, things didn't look good for the Los Angeles Lakers. They promptly lost key 3-and-D forward Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets, and while they signed forward Jake LaRavia, he isn't seen as a complete replacement for Finney-Smith, especially on the defensive end. But later on, the Lakers started to do better. They signed Deandre Ayton, a very skilled center who should also address their rebounding problems, while retaining Jaxson Hayes, who will now be their backup 5. On Saturday, they got former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart to agree to join them on a two-year, $11 million contract after he agreed to a buyout of his contract with the Washington Wizards. Suddenly, it looks like the Lakers have assembled a very strong roster, even if it isn't a championship-caliber one. Smart has been riddled by injuries over the last two years, but many feel he will be an excellent addition to a Lakers team that has badly needed high-level perimeter defense and toughness. Experts are saying that L.A. is getting a game-changer in Smart. David Yapkowitz of ClutchPoints gave the acquisition a B-plus grade and pointed out how the guard's defense will help. "While Smart might not be the tallest guard out there, he's made up for it with his tenacity on the defensive end," Yapkowitz wrote. "He's able to guard multiple positions due to his strength and defensive instincts. And he's the only guard who's won the Defensive Player of the Year Award since Gary Payton in 1996. "Smart can excel in different ways defensively including his ability to switch and to be the primary point of attack defender. For that reason, it's possible that Smart could be an option to start alongside Austin Reaves in the backcourt." Yapkowitz added that had it not been for Smart's health issues recently, he would've given this acquisition an A grade. Kevin Pelton of ESPN gave the move a B grade, but he seems a little less bullish on Smart. "The big question is what Smart the Lakers are getting," Pelton wrote. "He struggled during the first half of last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, shooting just 36% before the Grizzlies moved him to Washington at the deadline for expiring contracts. "Smart played just 39 games during two seasons in Memphis after dealing with multiple injuries and failing to make the same impact at either end as he did with the Celtics. "... I would have preferred De'Anthony Melton in a 3-and-D role for the Lakers' backcourt. If Melton is headed elsewhere -- he's been linked to rejoining the Golden State Warriors after ACL surgery ended his brief Warriors stint last season -- then bringing in Smart at a bargain deal is a reasonable plan B for Los Angeles." Vishwesha Kumar of Fadeaway World also gave the Smart acquisition a B grade and wrote about how the 31-year-old can become an X-factor for Los Angeles. "While not an offensive threat, Smart's defensive intensity, switchability, and toughness offer traits the Lakers lacked on the perimeter," Kumar wrote. "He also brings a winning mentality and championship experience, having played a major role in Boston's Finals run a few years ago. Perhaps most importantly, Luka Doncic reportedly recruited Smart to the Lakers, understanding the value of having someone who can take on tough guard assignments and allow him to focus more on offense. "Smart may not be a starter, but in a playoff series, he could be the kind of piece who swings momentum with hustle plays and clutch stops. ... Smart adds grit, defense, and leadership." The biggest key will be whether Smart avoids a significant injury this coming season after playing in just 54 games the past two seasons. If he does stay relatively healthy, he could become a major glue guy for the Purple and Gold, as he is also a solid secondary ball-handler and facilitator.
USA Today
18-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
3 reasons the NFL world wants to see Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt fail
On Thursday, All-Pro edge defender T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly agreed to terms on a new four-year contract that will make Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in the history of the NFL. Steelers fans are elated to lock up Watt before the start of training camp and knowing he will be with the team through the 2028 season. But not everyone is so excited. Here are three reasons the rest of the NFL wants to see Watt fail. The whole DPOY thing In 2021, Watt was finally rewarded with his one and only Defensive Player of the Year Award. Then in 2023, Watt finished second to Cleveland Browns edge defender Myles Garrett. This caused some uproar based on comments Watt made and his skipping the awards ceremony. With Watt living rent-free in the heads of every Browns fan, that will be enough to put them on guard to put Watt's entire season under the microscope. 2024 didn't end well Like it or not, Watt ran out of gas late in the 2024 season. In fact, Watt failed to register a single stat in the team's final two games. This includes the regular season finale as well as the team's one playoff game. This amounts to 193 snaps without so much as a tackle. Not many players can do that and still become the richest defender in NFL history. Frankly, because of Steelers fans Let's be honest, the whole debate about T.J. Watt and where he ranks among the best defensive players in the league, including Garrett, makes the Steelers fanbase seem insufferable. Fans of opposing teams are drooling over the opportunity to take to social media and give the fanbase the business if Watt doesn't meet expectations with this new contract.
USA Today
17-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Wisconsin football star linebacker now highest-paid non-QB in NFL history
Wisconsin legend T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed on a major contract extension on Thursday afternoon. The three-year extension is worth $123 million, with $108 million fully guaranteed. ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report the news, noting that the deal makes Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Watt enters his age-31 season in 2025. Unlike many at the position, his age-30 season in 2024 didn't lead to a noticeable drop in production. The former Badger played in all 17 games, totaling 61 tackles, 11 1/2 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, a league-best six forced fumbles and four pass deflections. The former Wisconsin star's resume, now eight full years into his professional career, includes three sack titles (2020, 2021, 2023), four First-Team All-Pro nods (2019-21, 2023), one Defensive Player of the Year Award (2021), 108 career sacks, 126 tackles for loss, 33 forced fumbles and 225 quarterback hits. Watt originally signed a four-year, $112 million contract with the Steelers after his rookie contract concluded in 2021. That contract ran through the 2025 season, though the star pass-rusher had expressed his desire to get a new deal done before the deal's final year began. He has done exactly that and made some NFL history in the process. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
