The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is going to be the driving force in whatever success the team has in the upcoming 2022 season. Particularly, the Steelers will look to defensive leaders Cam Heyward and the NFL's reigning Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) TJ Watt to put the team in the best position to win games. Sure, it's 2022 and offenses are soaring as they have the past decade, but the recipe for success the Steelers have leaned on in successful Super Bowl championship seasons has been a solid and relentless rushing attack and a stifling stingy defense!
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Watt has been proving doubters wrong since before he was drafted in 2017. The fight to prove naysayers wrong will continue in 2022, even after following a career year in which he received his first NFL's DPOY award. Watt and the defense are aware that analysts are counting them out without former QB1 Ben Roethlisberger not leading the offense this season, but he doesn't care! He is pleased with the defense thus far in training camp.
"We're having fun and we're flying around," Watt stated in a presser prior to practice last week in Latrobe. "Still a lot to improve on, but it's been a good start so far for the defense.""Right now, I think it's still early," Watt stated in response to who is sticking out to him in training camp. "Obviously, guys are making a lot of plays, but like we talk about, you can't win off a lack of execution on the other side. You got to be able to have clean, nice wins, good execution on your side. I think there's a lot of guys doing some really good things. I think Devin [Bush] looks nice inside. Myles Jack looks good inside. Guys are coming down, taking the double teams off the big guys. So it's been nice to see."
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Watt was then asked how he can potentially follow up his stellar season from 2021 that earned him his first-ever DPOY award. He was quick and to the point!
"We got to win a Super Bowl, simple as that."
Watt's not the only Steelers defensive leader and play-maker discussing Super Bowl aspirations for the 2022 season.
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A couple of weeks ago, Heyward went on Mad Dog Sports Radio with hosts Leger Douzable and Dr. Chantel Tremitiere to talk about a number of topics including playing for Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin. Heyward wants to get Tomlin to the promised land and he's looking forward to doing so!
“But there are times where I appreciate a man that continues to go about his job and continues to want to get better and always talks about getting the next chance at a sticky Lombardi,” Heyward stated on the radio show. “So that’s a trophy I want to get for that man. Even though he’s got one, it’s something I’m looking forward to.”
The Steelers' 2022 Super Bowl aspirations start with the defensive side of the ball and Watt and Heyward know that! They have to be stingy and prevent these modern day offenses from scoring points to keep their offense in the best position possible! The 2022 Steelers may have to do it with an old school mentality, but the team has all the potential in the world behind Watt and Heyward leading the charge!
What are yinz thoughts on Watt's Super Bowl aspirations for the Steelers in the 2022 season? Sound off in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!
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