Tag: T.J. Watt

Three Pittsburgh Steelers make PFWA 2024 All-NFL team

Three Steelers—Chris Boswell, Cam Heyward, and T.J. Watt—earned spots on the PFWA’s 2024 All-NFL team after standout seasons.

The PFWA has selected its All-NFL team for the 2024 season, and three Pittsburgh Steelers have made this prestigious list: K Chris Boswell, DT Cam Heyward, and OLB T.J. Watt.

Boswell kicked an impressive 41 out of 44 field goals this season, including an incredible 13 out of 15 from 50+ yards out. His excellence was truly on display when considering that his only three missed field goals in 2024 came from terrible weather conditions, a 60+ yard attempt, and a block.

Heyward truly turned back the clock in 2024, proving not only that age is just a number but that he is arguably the greatest defensive tackle in the NFL. At 35 years old, Heyward became the first defensive lineman since 2017 to record 10+ tackles for loss and 10+ pass breakups in the same season.

Despite his struggles toward the end of the season, Watt remains one of the greatest defenders the NFL has ever seen. His six forced fumbles led all defenders in 2024, and he also accumulated 11.5 sacks this season.

All three elite Steelers will aim to help their team finally achieve the coveted playoff win in 2025 that has eluded them for far too long.

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Sports personality offers up ridiculous trade scenario for the Steelers

Some trade offers are just too far fetched to be taken seriously.

Last offseason, the top priority of the Pittsburgh Steelers was to improve the quarterback depth chart. But despite swapping out all three quarterbacks, the results were the same. 10-7, an inconsistent passing game and one and done in the playoffs.

This means this offseason, the quarterback position is once again the team’s top priority. We have plenty of time to go over a variety of scenarios the Steelers could partake in this offseason but the hypothetical offered up by Fox Sports analyst Colin Cowherd.

To be fair to Cowherd, he did say he’d make the trade of T.J. Watt, George Pickens and a pair of first-round picks to go up for Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders only if the Steelers felt like he was a starting quarterback.

First off, no one is trading a haul like that for Sanders. That’s not even a discussion. But if there were a quarterback worth that sort of trade, I would want something stronger than “if you think he’s a starting QB” to pull the trigger on it.

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T.J. Watt opens up about his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers

T.J. Watt remains focused on staying with the Pittsburgh Steelers, aiming to bring a long-awaited championship back to Pittsburgh.

The Baltimore Ravens took away the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ opportunity at a Super Bowl title in 2024, but one cannot take away the heart of the Black and Gold—especially not the burning desire in T.J. Watt to remain in the Steel City.

On Monday, Watt took the opportunity to make his desires known regarding his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers:

“I don’t want to leave this place. I want to be a part of the solution. I’ve put so much into it here and seen so many guys—I want to help Cam Heyward get to where we need to get.”

Watt continued to reiterate his desire to remain a Pittsburgh Steeler, and his mission to win a Super Bowl for the Black and Gold faithful:

“I love the people here—and that goes beyond just the coaches. It’s the fan base, it’s the people, the community—and we owe it to them to get it right.”

If the Pittsburgh Steelers remain committed to reloading this upcoming offseason—avoiding the dreaded rebuild—they need to get both Watt and Heyward their Super Bowl in 2025, as time continues to run out.

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If Mike Tomlin stays, Steelers DC Teryl Austin needs to go

Teryl Austin’s future with the Steelers is in question as criticisms mount over his handling of a star-studded defense in 2024.

The once-illustrious winning ways of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Black and Gold symbol of excellence continue to be tarnished by HC Mike Tomlin’s ‘winning seasons” and his coaching staff—more specifically, DC Teryl Austin.

Insider Gerry Dulac reported that Tomlin is likely to remain with the Steelers in 2025. With this information in mind, it’s time to wish Austin the best in his future endeavors.

If Pittsburgh hopes to remain competitive in 2025 and beyond under Tomlin, something from this subpar coaching staff needs to change—and it starts with the defensive coordinator.

Austin was gift-wrapped one of the greatest defenses on paper a coach could ask for, yet he failed to coach and prepare them for the tough battles that awaited in 2024.

There is no reason why a defense that features some of the best run defenders in DeShon Elliott and Elandon Roberts, as well as the generational veteran talent of T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, should give up almost 300 rushing yards to any NFL team—let alone a divisional rival in the playoffs.

The recipe for 2025 success is simple: if Tomlin stays, he needs to choose greatness over his loyalty to Austin.

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Will Wild-Card loss to Ravens send Steelers into full rebuild?

The Steelers’ Wild-Card loss to the Ravens raises questions about whether Pittsburgh will face a full rebuild or stick to reloading.

Another Pittsburgh Steelers season has ended in disappointing fashion, and the Black and Gold’s winless playoff drought continues. However, this loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs feels different—like it will force the Steelers into a full-blown rebuild.

There is an age-old expression fans like to use: ‘The Steelers don’t rebuild, they reload,’ but the team clearly needs more than reloading.

If the Steel City faithful get their wish, the coaching staff will likely receive a complete overhaul—which makes it tough to remain competitive right away.

Veteran Steelers defenders like T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward aren’t getting any younger, and all parties may benefit from a change in scenery. Pittsburgh could gain extra draft capital to complete the rebuild, while Watt and Heyward are able to chase a Super Bowl elsewhere.

The offense will need a complete overhaul, but bringing back QB Justin Fields in 2025 provides the Steelers with a young signal-caller for the future.

Could the Steelers begin their rebuild as soon as this offseason, or will HC Mike Tomlin doom Pittsburgh to another mediocre, winless postseason once again?

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Steelers defenders Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt deserve to be traded

For all that T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward have given the Pittsburgh Steelers over their Hall of Fame careers, they deserve better.

For all that T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward have given the Pittsburgh Steelers over their Hall of Fame careers, they deserve better. Watt and Heyward have been the heart and soul of Pittsburgh’s defense for years, but it might be time to give these legends a chance to chase a Super Bowl elsewhere.

Watt, 30, and Heyward, 35, are entering the twilight of their respective careers, and the Steelers’ current roster doesn’t look like it’s built for a deep playoff run anytime soon.

Holding on to these players merely because they’re the best on the roster won’t do the team any good when everything surrounding them is subpar. Pittsburgh’s terrible coaching staff, inconsistent offense, and lack of postseason success make it hard to envision this team hoisting the Lombardi Trophy during however many years remain in their pro tenures.

Watt, a former Defensive Player of the Year, remains a dominant pass rusher despite battling injuries, while Heyward’s leadership and ability to disrupt opposing offenses make him a valuable asset. Both deserve to finish their careers on a team with a legitimate shot at winning a Super Bowl.

A trade would benefit Watt and Heyward and allow the Steelers to acquire valuable draft capital to rebuild their roster. Imagine Watt terrorizing quarterbacks on a championship-caliber team or Heyward anchoring a defense destined for glory. Steelers fans might not like it, but giving these stars a shot at a ring is the ultimate nod to their incredible contributions.

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Staggering statistic highlights Steelers defensive futility

It’s hard to defend T.J. Watt and the Steelers defense for their performance the past two weeks.

When it comes to the NFL, the mark of a truly great player is the ability to do two things. First, you elevate the play of those around you and second, you find a way to make plays regardless of what the opponent tries to do.

Over the course of the last two games, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt has been exposed and this statistic is as staggering as any from what has been a truly disappointing season.

Watt hasn’t registered a single statistic in 193 straight defensive snaps. This goes all the way back to the Steelers showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.

Obviously some of the onus for Watt’s struggles falls on him. We don’t really see many plays where Watt takes the play off but for sure no player who is a former Defensive Player of the Year should be shutout completely.

But in going back over those two games, it’s even more obvious that the scheme the Steelers run does Watt no favors. We can talk about double and triple teams but every great pass rusher faces that. It’s how the team accounts for it that matters and the last two games, DC Teryl Austin has failed.

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Top photos from Ravens 28-14 win over the Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Top photos from the Baltimore Ravens 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

The Ravens are peaking at the right time and look like the most complete team in the AFC after a 28-14 win over the rival Steelers on Saturday night at M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore will now wait for Sunday afternoon’s conclusion of the Buffalo Bills’ matchup against the Denver Broncos. If the Bills win, the Ravens will travel to Buffalo, while a Broncos win will see John Harbaugh’s team host the Houston Texans next week.

Here are the top photos from the win.

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Ravens advance to AFC Divisional Round with 28-14 win over Steelers

Baltimore Ravens advance to AFC Divisional Round with 28-14 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Wild Card game

The journey isn’t complete, but the Ravens avoided embarrassment and moved onto the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs with a convincing 28-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday night.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson was 16-21 passing for 175 yards, two touchdowns, and a 132.0 rating. Jackson rushed 15 times for 81 yards, while Derrick Henry carried the night, logging 186 yards on 26 rushing attempts and two touchdowns.

Baltimore’s defense held Pittsburgh to 280 yards of offense, with just 29 yards rushing on the ground. Najee Harris finished with six carries for 17 yards, and Jaylen Warren had two for six yards on the night. The Steelers had the football for just 20:27.

Baltimore will now wait for the conclusion of the Buffalo Bills matchup against the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon.

If the Bills win on Sunday, the Ravens will travel to Buffalo, while a Broncos win will see John Harbaugh’s team host the Houston Texans next week.

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Sights and sounds from first half as Ravens hold a 21-0 lead over Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Sights and sounds from first half as Ravens hold a 21-0 lead over Steelers in AFC Wild Card game

Like a Samantha Pollino Broadway Performance, the Ravens were flawless in the first half and looked like a Super Bowl favorite, jumping out to an early 14-0 lead.

After holding Pittsburgh to a three and out, Baltimore navigated a 13-play, 95-yard drive that ate almost 8 minutes of clock to put the Ravens on the board, 7-0. The Ravens dominated offensively and ended the first half with a 21-0 lead.

Here are sights and sounds from the first half.

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