Steel City Blitz
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.
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...
