The Pittsburgh Steelers have seemed to lost their way in doing things over the past several years. The franchise is a historic, all-time great football organization in the NFL that is known for its "standard". "The Standard" in Pittsburgh is, or at least once, was winning super bowls. However, Pittsburgh hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. The Steelers have a culture built within their organization, and there is one player in particular who seems to have the "Steeler Way" in his blood.
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Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt is on another level where dominance is simply expected of him in every single game
Three-time sack king TJ Watt has been the face of the Steelers' franchise since quarterback Ben Roethlisberger entered retirement after the 2021 season. Watt was recently named the Steelers' team MVP for the fourth time. The pass rusher is the first in NFL history to lead the league in sacks three times or more in a career. What makes Watt even more special about him is not just his play on the field.
Steelers' legends like Roethlisberger and James Harrison have questioned if the Steelers have lost the culture that former players like themselves had once built. But Watt doesn't seem to have that issue. He has always been a "team-first' guy. The former Defensive Player of the Year doesn't care about his sacks, tackles, or any of that nonsense. All the star wants to do is win.
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Steelers TJ Watt talks with Mike Tomlin during a regular season game against the Green Bay Packers.
Since the young stud was drafted in 2017, the Steelers have not won a playoff game. Watt has made in clear in multiple interviews that nothing else matters to him besides getting back to the "Steeler Way". Watt wants to win playoff games, and ultimately win championships. That's what the Steelers were always about, as they hold the title for most Super Bowl victories, tied with New England.
Watt is one of the most physical and tough players out there. What makes him a true Steeler is him doing whatever he needs to do to make sure he has an impact. He has played through multiple injuries, even when he probably shouldn't. In 2022, Watt tore his pectoral in the first game of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals. It was a possible season-ending injury, butt Watt pushed back and returned after nine weeks.
The Steelers were dead in the water too at the time, having a record of 2-6. With Watt's return, the Steelers miraculously finished at 9-8, continuing Head Coach Mike Tomlin's famous streak.
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Steelers defensive star, TJ Watt (#90) at midfield with his brother JJ (#99) during the coin flip as Pittsburgh and Houston get ready to face off at then-Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA. | Photo Credit: USA Today
Steelers' Watt Just Wants To Win
Watt doesn't care how it happens; he just wants to win. He even went as far as to get his older brother, JJ Watt, get ready to come out of retirement to help the Steelers with their postseason hopes this season. JJ was a former Defensive Player of the Year himself, so even if he has been out of the game for over a year, he probably has some gas left in the tank. There were some reports of JJ joining the team, but he ended up shooting those reports down, stating he is staying in retirement. But TJ had a chance to show where his mind was during this process during an interview.
"I was trying to win as much as possible. At the end of the day, all those business decisions are separate from that. He was staying ready just in case, and, obviously, it didn't come to fruition."
TJ has the "Steeler Culture" in him that may seem to be lacking by other players. If there is one guy on a team who can fix their mentalities, it's Watt. He's always been a leader for Pittsburgh, and with high expectations going into next season after a complete meltdown in 2023, TJ is going to have to fix the culture that was once built for the Steelers.
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