The Pittsburgh Steelers organization hit a home run when TJ Watt was available and selected at 30th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. He had huge shoes to fill and not just because Pittsburgh is known for having star-studded defenders. His brother, JJ Watt, was awarded with AP Defensive Player of the Year honors three times in four years from 2011 to 2015. The future Hall of Famer set the bar extremely high for his brother and TJ has been up to the task since arriving in the league. He won the top defensive award of the year back in 2021 and is constantly wreaking havoc on defenses.
Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) awaits a snap at the line of scrimmage as Pittsburgh takes on the Buffalo Bills during the 2021 NFL season at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_Photo)
Fans wanted to see both JJ and TJ play on the same team, but the older of the two decided to retire at the end of the 2022 NFL season. JJ hasn't escaped questions about wanting to play with TJ and gave Steelers fans an official answer on whether he would entertain the idea of putting the cleats back on and coming to the Steel City to play.
Steelers' TJ Watt Has Brother JJ Run To His Defense
JJ joined The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday and talked about a number of things with the former NFL punter and his team in the studio. When talking about TJ, he admitted he was appalled throughout the offseason as analysts and media pundits seemed to forget that TJ was still very much in his prime heading into 2023. The disrespect had JJ as vocal as ever.
"I watched this offseason as rankings came out as all these, ya know, 'Who's the best defensive player in the NFL,' and he's getting listed fourth, fifth on these lists. I'm sitting there like, 'Are you guys nuts? Are you guys literally nuts?'"
You can't blame him for coming to the defense of his brother. TJ dealt with more than one injury throughout the 2022 season and was the AP Defensive Player of the Year back in 2021. All of a sudden, people everywhere were naming guys like Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons as better defensive difference-makers.
Steelers star edge rusher, TJ Watt warms up on the playing surface at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA prior to a 2022 preseason game. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
JJ hinted at the fact that TJ was motivated right out of the gate for the 2023 season. The edge rusher was the only positive part of a Steelers blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The 30-7 defeat was embarrassing to say the least, but TJ was playing at the top of his game. He record five quarterback hits, three sacks, two forced fumbles and recovered one as well.
"And then he goes out there and reminds everyone really quickly why he's the best defensive player in the world... they had a very very tough day. The 49ers played incredibly well and they're an unbelievable team, but he is picking up right where he left off and he's gonna have an incredible year."
While the Steelers may be 0-1, TJ showed the entire league that he is still very much a force to be reckoned with. He already should be considered a favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year for a second time and although it's only Week 2, he proved that he is healthy and ready to dominate. He is very much in the prime of his career.
Steelers defensive star, TJ Watt (#90) stands on the sideline and looks on as the team practices during 2022 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. | Photo Credit: Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: JSKO_PHOTO)
The Steelers are lucky to have a guy like TJ in the lineup every Sunday. JJ is spot on in his words. He may be bias, but when TJ is healthy, there is not another defender on the planet that can impact a game like him. Pittsburgh will need him to keep up his consistent play if the 2023 season wants to quickly turnaround after a horrible Week 1 showing from the team as a whole.
Do you think JJ is right? Were the 2023 offseason rankings extremely disrespectful towards TJ? Let us know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
