In the Spring of 2017, the Pittsburgh Steelers had numerous options even with the 30th selection in the NFL Draft. EDGE rusher seemed to be their number one need and there were numerous options heading into the first round. Myles Garrett was going to go number one and he did. Takkarist McKinley was high on many fans’ lists as were guys like Haasan Reddick and defensive back Jabrill Peppers. With all of those guys off the board, the Steelers selected a relatively skinny and high-motor pass rusher from Wisconsin named T.J. Watt. Ten years later, there is still much to discuss and much to ponder. What will his legacy be when he finally takes off the Black and Gold?
Over the last decade, Watt has been arguably the team’s most popular player. All due respect to Cam Heyward, Antonio Brown and even Ben Roethlisberger when he came down to the end, Watt’s popularity has been largely unmatched. From his number 90 to his signature sack celebration, he is as recognizable as any Steeler has ever been. He’s been a Pro Bowl player eight times. He’s made first team All-Pro four times. He was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. In other words, he’s been everything that fans could have wanted.
Watt has never been a guy who sought out the cameras and microphones. He isn’t a “great quote” and rarely is a soundbite from him used in the media. Since last season ended in a blowout loss to Houston at home, Watt has been even quieter. The abrupt resignation of Mike Tomlin was something all of us know didn’t sit well with him. He was on the record as saying he only wanted to play for Coach T. When his favored coach left, Watt was looked to for comments. As a new father and a guy trying to come to grips with another playoff loss, it was no surprise that calls to him went unanswered.
The Difficulty of Being a Steeler
20 years from now, Watt and Heyward may sit around a pool reminiscing about their days playing for the Steelers. They will always have a bond that very few can share. The difficulty however will be knowing that they aren’t held in the regard as so many others are. The reality is that as I write this, neither one of them is going to win a Lombardi Trophy while a member of the Steelers. Blasphemy to be sure before the season has even begun but I deal with common sense.
Watt grew up in Wisconsin where the history of the Green Bay Packers and their success holds center court of the state perhaps unlike any other state in the country. Therefore, Watt had every understanding of what he was coming into when the six Lombardi’s greeted him at the front entrance. Other former Steelers have discussed it; there is a pressure to continue to add to the trophy case. Guys that have rings are viewed on a much higher pedestal than those that do not have them. There’s almost like a ‘tier system’ that starts with the guys who have four rings, then three and so on. Not having one is a metaphorical piano on one’s back.
Unfortunately what makes things worse is that Watt has the dubious distinction of never having won a postseason game either. His brother J.J. never made a Super Bowl either but his teams did win three times in the playoffs. My guess is that when Watt is asked about this – and he will be asked – he will brush it off. I would too but we all know the type of competitor Watt is and while it will not define his life, it will hang over his career like a darkening storm cloud.
Is There Still Time?
The Steelers now have the second highest-paid group of EDGE rushers in the league behind only the Texans. What that means for Watt I do not know. His contract isn’t “untradeable” but it’s currently pretty difficult to move. Next year seems like a more reasonable time to move him if such a thing were to happen. In the much nearer future, Watt has to hope that he can remain healthy. While he wasn’t on a torrid pace by any stretch prior to the Training Room incident, that did him no favors forcing him to miss three games.
I tend to look at the hiring of Patrick Graham as the team’s new Defensive Coordinator as a good thing but only if Watt is willing to work with him. Graham has a history of being creative week-to-week rather than sticking to the same thing. How many times in recent years have we seen Watt get chipped, chipped again and then hindered even more on his way to the QB? Graham seems to be the type of coordinator that help eliminate that paradigm.
I don’t think any of us should anticipate a return to the days of sacks numbering 17, 18 or more. I am optimistic however that he can reach ten and I know what many of you are thinking. Is getting 10 sacks on par with paying a guy $41 million per year? Don’t blame Watt for how much the Steelers were willing to pay him. That is entirely on the management and ultimately Art Rooney II. Furthermore, the market is what it is. It’s the same reason why Joey Porter, Jr can command $30 million per season. Graham will have studied every piece of tape there is on Watt and I’m sure he’s going to figure out ways to get him easier paths to the QB. The rest is up to Watt.
In the End…
Eventually T.J. Watt will stop being a football player. He will have plenty of accolades, great plays and locker room moments to look back on. Will he be able to say he’s a Super Bowl Champion? Will he be able to say he finally got that postseason win? Only Father Time knows the answer to those questions. It won’t affect him getting into the Hall of Fame or the Steelers’ Hall of Honor. He’s a shoo-in for both of those even if he doesn’t play another snap.
I think we all want more for Watt. We all benefit if he gets that postseason win and it goes without saying should he get that Lombardi. Is there a fear that he gets one or both elsewhere? Sure there is, ask Lions’ fans about Matthew Stafford. Some were happy for him while many were not. With Watt, I want the best for him but selfishly I want that to be here in Pittsburgh. I think his legacy is more than secure but I fear the asterisk will haunt him. The asterisk being “never won a postseason game.”
