Steelers' TJ Watt Hit With Strong Warning From Falcons' Raheem Morris

The Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, marking an intriguing matchup. The Steelers' new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, will have the chance to seek revenge against the team that dismissed him. Smith previously served as the Falcons' head coach for three seasons, but was fired after a disappointing tenure that ended in 2023.

Smith and the Steelers will be eager to secure a victory against his former team. Adding to the anticipation is the friendship between Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Falcons Head Coach Raheem Morris, who have exchanged some playful jabs as their teams prepare to clash.

Morris spoke to the Atlanta media on Wednesday, where he discussed the game plan and made a pointed comment aimed at Steelers star TJ Watt.

"TJ Watt is a game wrecker of sort," Morris said. "And I am not gonna let him go out there and wreck the game, and that's gonna be part of our plan."

Watt has consistently been one of the NFL's top players and is widely regarded as the best defensive player in the league. In his seven seasons, Watt has accumulated 96.5 sacks, 401 combined tackles, and seven interceptions—an impressive resume by any measure.

In 2023, Watt led the NFL with 19 sacks, and many believed he deserved the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award, though he was ultimately snubbed. Despite this, he was still seen by many as the most disruptive force in the league that season. Slowing down Watt is no easy feat, but Morris remains confident his team can get the job done.

"You gotta go out there and be ready to go out there and execute the game plan, and be very smart and detailed."

Stopping Watt is never an easy task, and doing so in Week 1 is even more challenging. In the 2023 season opener, the Steelers faced the San Francisco 49ers and suffered a disappointing 30-7 home loss. Despite the defeat, Watt shined with three sacks, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery, showcasing his ability to dominate in season openers.

Watt's 2023 season was marked by frustration for a few reasons. After one game, he voiced his concerns in a postgame press conference, suggesting that the NFL might have something against him. He was particularly upset because he felt the officials weren't calling obvious holding penalties against his opponents. Watt isn't known for complaining, so when he speaks out, many assume there's validity to his claims.

Watt also feels slighted by the NFL for being snubbed of another Defensive Player of the Year award. He didn’t attend the ceremony and instead posted a cryptic message on social media, stating he’s accustomed to being overlooked. 

Watt has been a dominant force throughout his career, often being the key reason behind the Steelers' victories due to his ability to disrupt games and shift momentum. Heading into the 2024 season, he’s fueled by extra motivation.

Steelers' Defense Expected To Be Elite In 2024

The Steelers’ defense is expected to be formidable in 2024. As the highest-paid unit in the league, they are stacked with playmakers at every level and are poised to be one of the best defenses in the NFL. If they fall short, the team could find themselves in serious trouble. 

However, with a healthy and driven Watt leading the charge, opposing offenses are in for a tough challenge once again. Steeler Nation will be hoping Watt takes Morris' comments to heart and uses them as added motivation for Week 1, with fans eagerly anticipating some sacks in the season opener.

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