TJ Watt's Desire For Steelers To Win A Playoff Game Brushed Off By Coach

Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro edge rusher, TJ Watt is freakishly good. He is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, outside linebacker in the NFL. While he might get passed over for the recognition he deserves from the league and the general public, his impact on games is impossible to dispute. 

Watt is now entering his eighth season in the league and the one thing he is missing is a Super Bowl ring. He's a six-time Pro Bowler, a four-time First Team All-Pro, and he was named the 2021 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The buck stops at the top, and for that reason, the blame for this lands on Head Coach Mike Tomlin. 

The Steelers have been to the playoffs multiple times since Watt entered the league, but have failed to advance beyond their first game since the end of the 2016 season. For a team with a history of dominance, this is a tough pill to swallow. While Tomlin shoulders most of the blame, he is open in saying he wants this for his players more than himself, including veterans like Watt and Cameron Heyward. 

Outside Linebackers Coach Denzel Martin was recently asked about the playoff win drought and how much he thinks it bothers Watt. In a video posted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Martin downplayed it.

"Nah, it's not something that he's out there saying," explained Martin. "Everybody wants it, you know what I'm saying? Everybody wants to win in the playoffs. It's not something we are trying not to do. It's something we're always constantly thinking about, every day; it's something we got to do. We know we need postseason success, and that's what we are gonna keep working towards."

Defense in the Steel City hasn't been their most significant issue. While they had some prominent areas of need, such as inside linebacker, the defense almost single-handedly won some games for the 2023 team. General Manager Omar Khan and Tomlin addressed those holes, such as the signing of Patrick Queen this offseason. But perhaps more importantly, they built what we hope will be a better offense.  

There will always be some urgency for the guys on the roster. You never know what could happen to a player or when their career could suddenly be cut short, but Martin doesn't see that happening to Watt anytime soon. 

"That guy there, I don't ever see him stopping," said Martin with a grin. "I just don't know when it's going to stop. His love for football would have to die and y'all know him like I do, that ain't dying."

Watt and his partner, Alex Highsmith, have created a sort of Batman and Robin situation that has been shown to stymie offenses. Head coaches like Sean McVay talk about how they try to plan for Watt, but it isn't totally possible. 

A sack master, Watt tied Michael Strahan in 2021 with 22.5 sacks. With the Steelers' upgraded defense, it seems possible that he could exceed that number this season, and barring any injury, he should easily surpass 100 sacks so far for his career. 

Is Watt's Career Winding Down With The Steelers?

For Steelers fans, it does not feel like we have had Watt long enough. We certainly haven't accomplished all we set out to do, so it is hard to imagine him retiring anytime soon. But former Steelers executive Doug Whaley recently said he could see that happening. Watt's brother, JJ Watt, retired a few years ago, saying he wanted to end on a high and go before his body totally broke down. 

Many analysts believe Pittsburgh will win a playoff game at the end of the 2024 season. They hope they have done enough to make a real run at a championship title. 

What do you think about Watt and his feelings on the playoffs? Why do you think the Steelers haven't won a postseason game since the 2016 season? Click to comment below. 

#SteelerNation