Steelers Superstar TJ Watt Is Confident That "It Doesn't Matter Who Is Out There" When He Feels "Unstoppable"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are no strangers to superstar players. Chuck Noll's first draft pick was Joe Greene, and the Steelers roster has read like a who’s who of NFL history ever since. There have been star quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and defensive players. It is hard to recall a time when at least one face of the NFL was not playing football in Pittsburgh.

The top current Steelers star is the former defensive player of the year TJ Watt. Watt shares the record for most sacks in a single season in NFL history. He is a five-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro. On Sunday, he joined the Footbahlin With Ben Roethlisberger podcast as a guest and spoke in a way that would make Noll very proud.

Ben Roethlisberger and his cohost, Spencer T’eo asked Watt if there was one player that gave him a particularly hard time on game days. Most NFL players confess they have someone they dread matching up with, but the podcast duo was not expecting a blunt answer from the Steelers' star edge rusher.

“At the end of the day it doesn’t matter who is out there,” Watt responded. "It doesn't matter who is lined up across from you. It’s all about trusting yourself and when you get to the highest level, it is all about confidence in yourself. You play the best and you feel like you are unstoppable. When you’re unstoppable like that it doesn’t matter who is across from you as long as you are at the top of your game.”

Very few athletes communicate like this. Most will share their struggles with a particularly difficult opponent and show respect for the very best men they face on the gridiron. Watt is not disrespecting any particular lineman he has faced multiple times, but expressing the sincere belief that it does not matter what his opponent is doing when a big moment is coming in the game.

“There is definitely moments when it is third down and I am getting my stance,” Watt continued. “The crowd is going nuts, and I’ll tell myself it’s about to happen. This play it’s happening; the play clock is going down to three, I can just feel it. I’ve had so many of those feelings during my career.”

Watt has had a unique impact on the NFL since he entered the league. Spectacular interceptions and strip sacks are almost expected at this point. It is not a question of if he can make a big play to impact a game, but it is when. Watt acknowledges he is facing professionals, but will not concede that a particular player he faces is a concern.

“There’s definitely a good amount of excellent players in the NFL,” Watt answered. "As long as I’m taking care of my business, I should be able to at least have my fair share of wins. I’m sure some guys make it tougher than others but I just try to focus on getting ready myself.”

Noll famously extolled the same virtues during his tenure as a coach. His philosophy was that it did not matter what any opponent was doing. If the Steelers executed their concepts, they would win. It is so ingrained in Steelers culture that Watt’s candid answers are just an extension of the continued belief that you can only take care of your own business and that is good enough.

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Watt is only 28 years old and is healthy entering the 2023 season. He has posted double-digit sack numbers in every season except his rookie year and the injury-shortened 2022 campaign. Watt is under contract for the next three seasons in Pittsburgh. If he posts double-digit sacks in each campaign, which seems likely, he will be the first Steelers player to reach 100 sacks in black and gold and still only be 31 years of age with plenty left in the tank.

What do you think Steeler Nation? Are you surprised by Watt’s candor and supreme confidence in his ability? Comment below or on my Twitter @thebubbasq.

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