Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and four-time Super Bowl champion Rocky Bleier did not hold back in a recent interview when asked about the Steelers giving outside linebacker T.J. Watt a record-breaking deal.
“He’s in his ninth season. And he’s a wonderful player and he’s an impact player and he’s made differences on that defense,” Bleier said on The Irish NFL Show. “But he’s not the defense. He’s not gonna get you to the Super Bowl. He’s at a [point] when, you hate to do it, but maybe you should’ve traded him, and get value for him, get some people coming, whatever the choices are at the time.”
Last month, Watt signed a three-year, $123 million contract extension with the Steelers. The deal includes $108 million fully guaranteed at signing.
Watt, who will average $41 million per year, once again tops Cleveland Browns’ edge rusher Myles Garrett as the highest-paid non-QB. Garrett was just made the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history earlier this offseason.
Bleier is right that Watt is not the entire defense, but he’s definitely the biggest piece on the unit.
No player has recorded more sacks over the last five seasons than Watt, who has 73.5 during that span. In one-score games since 2021, Watt ranks first in sacks (43), forced fumbles (12) and batted passes (14), according to Pro Football Focus.
J.J. Watt was critical of the Steelers this offseason for not giving his brother an extension sooner, but in the end, T.J. got wanted he wanted.
“I’m happy for him. He’s excited, extremely excited,” J.J. Watt said on The Pat McAfee Show last month. “It’s a very rare thing in today’s NFL (to play with one team), so it’s really special. He’s earned it. He deserves it, and couldn’t be more proud of him.”
Pat McAfee mentioned how jacked T.J. Watt looked in a recent photo with fellow Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig. J.J. said his brother has put a ton of work in this offseason.
“He is in a great spot,” J.J. Watt said. “I know he feels extremely good. He has been training his butt off. He’s really excited about camp. He’s looking forward to being back with the boys. It’s going to be great.”
Watt had a bit of a down year in 2024, registering the third least sacks in a season (11.5) in his career. The other two seasons were his rookie year (seven sacks) and 2022 (5.5 sacks) when he played in just 10 games due to a knee injury. Coupled with injuries last season, Watt was slowed down due to teams scheming against him since he doesn’t switch sides. That could change this year.
“That’s something that this time of year is perfect for us, to move around, to get comfortable,” Watt said on Wednesday at St. Vincent College. “It’s not about winning every single rep and having to be on the left side and having to get everything mastered on the left side. It’s about trying new...
