KC Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes on challenge presented by T.J. Watt and Steelers’ defense

The NFL award-winners won’t be known for another month or so, but publications have been making their picks and one player has been mentioned by multiple outlets.

Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt has already been selected the Defensive Player of the Year by the Athletic, Pro Football Talk and in NFL Media’s survey of league executives.

The accolades are not unexpected. This season, Watt tied the NFL’s single-season sack record with 22 1/2. Fans may think Watt deserves an asterisk because this was the NFL’s first 17-game schedule, but injuries kept him out of two games this season.

Watt played against the Chiefs when Pittsburgh lost 36-10 at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 26. But he was dealing with cracked ribs and saw action on just 38 snaps, recording one tackle.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes expects to see a much different Watt when the teams meet again in Sunday night’s AFC Wild Card Game at Arrowhead Stadium.

In addition to his sack total, Watt led the league with 21 tackles for loss and had 39 quarterback hits during the regular season.

“He’s a special player. I mean, I don’t know what runs in that family, but they’re great football players over there,” Mahomes said, alluding to Watt and his brothers, J.J. — an Arizona Cardinals defensive end — and Derek, a Steelers fullback. “T.J. is not only special as far as the way he can bend and get to the quarterback, but with the effort that he plays with.

“And they have a lot of guys like that over there: Cam Hayward, (Alex) Highsmith. I mean, they had a lot of guys that play hard the entire game, and they continuously play and go and go.”

Pittsburgh had an NFL-best 55 sacks, four more than the Vikings this season, and ranked sixth with 106 quarterback hits.

Watt’s stats make up a significant chunk of both those numbers. Mahomes said Watt and his teammates have motors that run constantly.

If Mahomes freelances in or out of the pocket on Sunday, he will need to be aware of who’s in pursuit.

“For me it’s about whenever I do make those extended long plays, not making a bad play happen,” Mahomes said. “I mean, those guys will be kind of around me the whole time as far as following the play.

“So when I kind of scramble up and I step up in the pocket when stuff’s not there, I have to make sure I account for them because I know they’re not going to give up on the play.”