Steelers' Cam Heyward Exposed TJ Watt's Real Impact After Pundits Claim He's Not Making Big Plays

Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher, TJ Watt is coming off another historic 2023 season and he's also having a great 2024 season. He's been so great that every pundit and fan expects Watt to make huge splash plays every single week. 

While that's typically normal for Watt, the last three games he has had just one sack. In the Thursday night 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns, some believed Watt didn’t make enough big plays. All while Myles Garrett, the Browns’ star pass rusher, dominated with three sacks and one forced fumble. This led one former Steeler to even critique Watt's game against the Browns. 

Cam Heyward spoke to the media on Wednesday and offered a new perspective about Watt's impact. Heyward emphasized that while box score stats like sacks are important, they don’t always tell the full story of a player’s performance. He highlighted Watt's ability to draw double and triple teams consistently, which opens opportunities for other defenders. According to Heyward, this kind of impact often goes unnoticed but is crucial for the overall success of the defense. 

"I don't think he's getting taken out," Heyward said. "I think they got good players over there. They're making plays as well. Sometimes it might not turn into the sacks, but there's pressures, there's being able to make plays in the quick passing department, runs. I know we pay a lot of attention to the passing game, but last week included, you look, they run the ball a lot. So, I think TJ is always gonna be TJ. Doesn't matter what you're gonna do, he's able to stop in both ways."

Watt's contributions go beyond the stat sheet, and Heyward made it clear that his teammate’s influence stretches across every snap. Whether it's forcing quarterbacks to throw early, collapsing the pocket, or freeing up other linebackers to make plays, Watt's presence alters the game. 

Steelers fans might not always see the flashy numbers, but Heyward’s comments serve as a reminder of why Watt remains one of the most feared players in the league.

Steelers' TJ Watt Likely Ready To Respond After Browns' Myles Garrett's Comments

Watt is so dominant that even when he's playing well, some still question where the splash plays are. That’s the reality of being widely regarded as the best defensive player in the NFL. While Watt hasn’t performed poorly by any stretch, he’s certainly not thrilled with Garrett's postgame comments, claiming "the crown runs through him."

Though Garrett may have outshined Watt on Thursday night, it’s safe to say Watt is primed for a massive performance against the Cincinnati Bengals. He’ll be eager to remind everyone why he’s considered the best defensive player in football.

Steeler Nation is waiting with anticipation to see how Watt responds on the field to the chatter following the Browns' loss. If history is any indicator, a fired-up Watt is the last thing opposing offenses want to face. Watt will likely have a huge game against the Bengals and quiet the recent noise surrounding his lack of big time splash plays.

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