The Associated Press defensive player of the year award won’t be going to a new home this year.
Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was the winner of the prize at the 2015 NFL Honors show and he has been named the winner again in 2016. It’s the third time Watt has been so honored in his five-year NFL career.
Former Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor is the only other three-time winner of the award. Given how much time is left in Watt’s career and how dominant he has been to this point, that tie for the most in league history may not last for long.
Watt led the NFL in sacks with 17.5 during a regular season that ended with the Texans winning the AFC South title. He now has 74.5 sacks for his career. Watt added 50 quarterback hits, 29 tackles for losses, eight passes defensed, 76 overall tackles and three forced fumbles during the season.
Watt got 37-of-50 votes for the award. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was second with seven and Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly and cornerback Josh Norman finished in third and fourth places.