Pittsburgh (AP) — TJ Watt grew up trying to find a way out of the shadows of his brothers JJ and Derek.
It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t always fun. Still, the Pittsburgh Steelers star was ready to be one of the most destructive players in the NFL. This is a game-destroying edge rusher that plays with sharpened controlled anger trying to hang out with big kids for years.
So Watt understands the caveats associated with the large deal that he officially signed on Friday, which would make him the most paid defender in the league, but that’s not something he can’t handle.
“I’ve been dealing with pressure for the rest of my life,” said two All-Pros after a deal to raise his salary to $ 28 million in the season in 2022. Brothers of X, Y, Z? You know the answer to all of that: I’m made for this. And I sincerely believe that financial things do not change me as a person. The work I put in remains the same. It just grows. “
The Steelers rely on it.
Watt has been one of the NFL’s best defenses since being ranked 30th overall in the 2017 draft. His 491/2 career sack includes the league’s best 15 last fall when Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald won the Defensive Player of the Year Awards.
The Steelers have revealed their willingness to keep Watt in the fold for the long term. Still, negotiations were prolonged during the training camp where Watt chose “hold in.” In short, he was a regular in practice but refused to participate in the 11-11 full contact drill in the defense of the first team. One of Pittsburgh’s four preseason contests.
It wasn’t easy to be on the sidelines for workers who consider their teammates (chief of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger) to be the best players in the NFL. Watt wore a heart rate monitor to check his exercise level and was ready for the game, but admitted that he sometimes felt a disconnect between himself and the rest of the team.
“Throughout this process, there were certainly moments when I felt almost alone,” Watt said.
Well most. When Watt negotiated a contract for the first time in his career, he relied heavily on his brother, but they didn’t have much of a way to advise. Not even JJ experienced a similar situation when he signed a two-year, $ 31 million worth of deal with Arizona after spending nearly a decade in Houston during the off-season.
“Signing the dotted line (he said) forgets what happened up to that moment,” Watt said. “And that’s how all this has become for me. It’s been a long day, but as I said, it all pays off. And now I just play football. I’m focused on doing. “
And, of course, he proves that he is well worth the investment.
The signature gives the Steelers something to build in the post-Roethlisberger era, but the Defending AFC North Champion is currently focused and will face Bills in Buffalo on Sunday.
Watt said he needed to know for sure when he needed to take a break in his first game action since he lost the playoffs to Cleveland in January, but Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is familiar with Watt. I don’t understand why I can’t do the 90th. Lined up in his usual place outside Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense.
“I haven’t made any reservations for his participation,” Tomlin said on Friday. “I hope he will be TJ Watt.”
The Steelers need to shoot him to compete in one of the league’s heaviest divisions. Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Cleveland all entered the postseason in 2020, but Ravens is tackling the issue of injury and the Steelers ask Bills many questions surrounding the four rookie lineup of crimes. I am.
Roethlisberger acknowledged that “growth pain” could occur early on. This means that the defenses that led the NFL to the sack in each of the last four seasons may have to carry the Steelers early. That is the burden Watt believes the defense is ready to carry out.
“That’s a real possibility,” he said. “It’s not just about slaps on the wall as we pass by, just because we have to do it. I truly believe this is a special team.”
A team that relies heavily on his prime and 26 years old and continues to cause havoc on his own unique brand.
“I know exactly what it needs,” Watt said. “I’ve been doing it for the rest of my life. It’s just about staying hungry to keep it going. And I guarantee everyone here and everyone in this building, I I’m still hungry. “
Note: OLB Alex Highsmith (groin) is suspicious on Sunday. All other players listed in the injury report — WR James Washington (fingers), C Kendrick Green (hands) and DT Tyson Alualu (elbows) will play.
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TJ Watt accepts expectations after landing a large deal | WGN Radio 720
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