The Pittsburgh Steelers have more than a few defensive greats whose busts line the halls of Canton, OH. When you are watching true greatness happen before your eyes, though, it can get to a point where you simply expect that level of dominance. Future first-ballot Hall of Fame candidate JJ Watt warned Steelers fans about what they are witnessing from his brother TJ Watt. Because when that kind of brilliance occurs on a regular basis, it's tempting to start turning the amazing into the commonplace.
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Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt is making his mark on the 2023 season with DPOY in his sights yet again.
Steelers' TJ Watt Is On Another Level
If there is anyone who understands the pressure of being the defensive star on your team, it's the older Watt, so when he speaks on his younger brother's talents, it isn't just opinion; it's from very real personal experience.
The former Houston Texans' Watt, during his weekly segment on The Pat McAfee Show, talked about how it can be all too easy not to be amazed at Pittsburgh's Watt and the consistent, game-changing way he plays the game. After bringing up a graphic showing the similarities between the 2023 seasons that TJ and Myles Garret were having, JJ was asked by the Pat McAfee crew why it feels like people are still sleeping on what TJ is doing.
"Yeah, I think because that's the level of dominance that he has created, where his -- like, he's literally set the NFL sack record. Like, he has the NFL sack record with Strahan. So, his 'normal' year is anybody else's most dominant year of their entire career. So, that's when you're at a level where, you know, you're judged on a different standard, which is -- that's a compliment. That's a sign of respect."
Now that the offensive distraction of Matt Canada has been removed from the picture, the offense proved against the Cincinnati Bengals in their 2023 Week 12 victory that they are capable of giving the Steelers' defense time to rest each drive. Considering that the Steelers put together a 6-4 record prior to Canada's firing, the prospect of having at least a semblance of balance is a dream come true for this talented 2023 Pittsburgh squad.
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Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt celebrates a turnover with Tre Norwood.
Steelers' Fans Have To Appreciate What TJ Watt Does
When the Steelers selected TJ in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, they hoped that the game-changing plays JJ Watt brought to the field would be present in his younger brother as well. As it turns out, the Steelers truly found a generational talent in TJ, but it can be easy to have greatness become expected, rather than appreciated.
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Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt sacks Will Levis after he lost his helmet on Thursday Night Football.
JJ said that he considers the conversation about his younger brother's greatness to be similar to how he sees the situation regarding Patrick Mahomes. When that kind of greatness is on display week in and week out, suddenly, it's normal, and that isn't something JJ wants to happen to Steelers fans who watch defensive brilliance often.
"I encourage people not to forget. It's like... with Patrick Mahomes, like, don't get bored with greatness. Don't get bored watching somebody do something spectacular, doing something that's incredible... Don't get complacent with the fact that we get to -- that we're fortunate enough to watch these guys play at such a high level. And with TJ, people can tell me I'm biased all they want because he's my brother, but the reality is, just put up the numbers. Look at what he's accomplishing, what he's doing."
It's rare to have a week in the 2023 NFL season go by without the debate about who is greater, TJ Watt or Myles Garrett. That's because we are watching two athletes compete at such a high level that some of us are getting used to it. For anyone who watched Ben Roethlisberger in his prime, there is something about witnessing that kind of talent in real-time that almost takes away from the brilliance of what is happening.
Watt is consistently leading the NFL in the major defensive categories or among the top contenders, so it is a good idea to heed the JJ's warning and not take it for granted. No matter how often we watch TJ's amazing play on the field, we have to find a way to always appreciate it because it doesn't last forever.
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