The Pittsburgh Steelers finished off their first week of training camp on Saturday, with Sunday being an off-day for players. The main headlines, of course, are dominated by the Steelers' competition for the QB1 spot. It can be mighty difficult to judge a quarterback competition when the quarterbacks are going against one of the most talented defenses in the entire NFL day in and day out.
Steelers' superstar outside linebacker, TJ Watt is the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but that's not slowing him down. He lives for this and he's excited about being back in Latrobe for the first time in three years.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) participates in 2022 training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
The Steelers' defensive playmaker discussed this, via Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:
“I mean, just spending time with each other. There’s no escape here,” Watt said in the presser via Adamski. “We’re all going to be around each other, whether we’re on the field or in the training room. Everything’s just so compact here, where it’s easier to kind of take a younger guy under your wing, kind of show him how things go. A lot of stories, past stories, a lot of building camaraderies that’s necessary to make a run in the playoffs.”
The defense and Watt have been wreaking havoc in training camp thus far and rightfully so as they try to live up to being the highest paid defense in the NFL.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA on July 28, 2022. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
In a recent article published by ESPN, reporter Brooke Pryor gave an update on what's been happening during the 2022 Steelers' training camp through the first week of practices.
"Through the ramp-up non-padded period of training camp, the Steelers defense has looked significantly sharper than its offensive counterpart," Pryor stated in her portion of the article. "During the final 11-on-11 period Saturday, T.J. Watt intercepted a quick slant from Mitch Trubisky intended for George Pickens. He ran it back 20 yards for a pick-6 and hurled the ball in the air. The defense did its training camp celebration for interceptions and pretended to skeet shoot the ball as it spiraled high above them. Watt, in particular, has had a monster week of camp. He also batted down another Trubisky pass in an earlier period Saturday and punted the ball into the crowd in celebration."
Head Coach Mike Tomlin discussed Watt's love for the game and how he's an example to everyone.
"T.J.'s being T.J. man, we appreciate that," coach Mike Tomlin said. He loves football. He loves to work. He loves to compete. It's guys like that, that you really want the young guys to pay close attention to."
Credit: Jordan Schofield / Steeler Nation (@JSKO_PHOTO)
The Steelers have the highest paid defense in the NFL, so they should be dominating training camp practices, that's expected. If they weren't, that's when it gets a little worrisome. With questions on the offensive side of the ball and particularly the QB1 spot, the team will look to have a successful campaign in 2022 on the back of this defense that has the potential to be ranked one of the top defenses in the league!
What do yinz think about the Steelers defense and Watt dominating training camp practices thus far? Let us know in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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