The Pittsburgh Steelers hit a home run when they were on the clock in the 2017 NFL Draft. Former General Manager Kevin Colbert made one of the best picks in the franchises history by selecting future AP Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt with the 30th pick in the first round. Since Watt was drafted in 2017, he has been selected to five Pro Bowls, three First Team All-Pro teams, and won the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. Recently, Watt sat down with CBS Sports and discussed the upcoming season including one quarterback in particular from the AFC North.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) celebrates after making a big play at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA.
In the recent interview, Watt was asked about facing several good quarterbacks in the AFC North, including the Cincinnati Bengals' signal-caller, Joe Burrow. Watt was asked if playing against players of Burrow's caliber bring out the best in him. He responded by giving high praise to Burrow.
"The reason why you play in the National Football League is to play against the best, and he's one of the best, for sure. He only brings out the best in us. It's literally a chess match all week trying to figure out how we're going to eliminate the things that he does best."
Watt, who has played Burrow a total of four times in his career, has had pretty good success against one of the consensus top five quarterbacks in the league. In his four games, the Steelers have won 2 of those match ups and Watt has recorded 22 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and has intercepted Burrow twice in those four games.
Steelers vs Bengals is always a classic
The games between Watt and Burrow have certainly been memorable. In 2021 after an interception, Watt planted Burrow into the ground. While the Steelers defense was returning the interception, Watt was seen blocking Burrow into the ground which some fans interpreted as unnecessary. However, after the game, Watt admitted that Burrow came up to him and stated that he had no problem with the play.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
TJ Watt celebrates an interception against the Bengals on opening day of the 2022 season.
Burrow, who has ascended to one of the best quarterbacks in the league, has led the Bengals to back-to-back AFC North titles and are the betting favorites to repeat again this year. Watt and company have had their fair battles against Burrow since he came into the league and Watt expanded on just what makes Burrow so dangerous to play against.
"He can throw the ball, he can escape the pocket. He just makes such good reads. To be able to have any sort of highlight play against him is an accomplishment and I'm just happy to have a few myself."
With Watt signed to play in Pittsburgh through the 2025 season and Burrow on the cusp of signing a long-term contract with the Bengals, these battles are likely to only get better as the years go by. Watt and the Steelers will have to go through Cincinnati in order to sit atop the AFC North for years to come.
Joshua A. Bickel / Associated Press
Steelers' Alex Highsmith sacks Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow during the 2022 season opener.
However, the tide may turn quicker than some think if second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett can ascend to the same level as some of the other quarterbacks in their division. In an offseason focused around depth, the Steelers will work to capture their first AFC North title since 2020.
What do you think of Watt's comments about Burrow? Sound off in the comments below!
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