Caleb Harris
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt has an impressive resume that includes a NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, four first-team All-Pro honors and six Pro Bowl selections. He also tied Michael Strahan’s record for most sacks in a single season. The defender achieved a lot in his seven seasons at NFLbut there is one big thing he is still missing.
The former first-round pick has never won a playoff game, and looking back on his career thus far, the lack of postseason success stands out to him.
The Steelers have made four playoff bids since Watt joined the team in 2017 and have made one each time. The 30-year-old is looking for the postseason W and it’s one of the reasons he stays motivated on the field.
“For me, it’s all about no wins in the playoffs,” Watt said, via Atlético. “I’m trying to do everything I can. We have so much turnover year after year and so many new guys that I’m trying to learn as much as I can from guys in other organizations who have done this and won championships since coming into the league. I’m going to do whatever possible to win. It’s a matter of not taking any day for granted and, when it comes to executing and working, leaving everything aside and doing it.
The Steelers went 10-7 last season, making the playoffs but losing in the wild-card round to the Buffalo Bills. The team’s last playoff victory came in 2016, a year before Watt’s arrival.
Watt doesn’t have an immediate plan for retirement and isn’t sure when it will be time to hang up his cleats. “I don’t know if I want to play forever, but who knows? It’s really hard to say,” he said.
His brother, former defensive end JJ Watt, retired at the end of the 2022 season at age 33. TJ Watt said his older brother didn’t exactly follow his retirement plan.
“JJ always said he didn’t want to play long, then things happened and he ended up playing longer,” TJ Watt said. “I won’t know until that moment comes. I feel great right now, so I’m just living in the moment.”
The Steelers had a busy offseason, adding two new quarterbacks to the mix. Old Super Bowl Champion Russell Wilson is expected to be the starter, while former 11th overall pick Justin Fields, who played three seasons with the Bears, will be the backup.
In March, Watt talked about the Steelers’ offensive additions, saying he’s hopeful they can help him finally achieve his goal of winning when it really counts.
“To be able to have some big new faces and guys who have played at a high level – especially Russ, a guy who won a Super Bowl – in the locker room. I just hope I can learn something from these guys and show them how things are done in Pittsburgh too, what we’ve been doing,” Watt said. earlier this offseason. “I haven’t won a playoff game in my entire career, so I’m open to any kind of information where we can continue to improve. Hopefully these guys can help us do that.”
According to Caesars Sportsbook, Pittsburgh has +160 odds to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, Watt has the second-best odds to win Defensive Player of the Year at +650.
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