Tag: TJ Watt

The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to be a popular home for former Wisconsin Badgers

Can you name all six former Badgers currently on the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday evening, sending shockwaves through the NFL as the first big domino of the free-agent period.

Wilson will make just $1.2 million over the one-year deal from the Steelers — that while somehow still getting paid $39 million per year from the Broncos.

Related: Pre-spring bold predictions for the 2024 Big Ten football season

For Pittsburgh, the former Badger is an easy upgrade over Kenny Pickett and should make the Steelers contenders in the AFC North. For Wilson, this move was a badly-needed second chance after the disaster his tenure in Denver became.

The non-Wilson story here: the former Wisconsin signal-caller became yet another former Badger to join the Steelers. Here are all of those players now, up to a whopping total of six:

Wisconsin football’s all-time sack leaders

Can you guess Wisconsin’s entire top 10 of all-time sack leaders?

The Wisconsin football program has produced terrific pass-rushing defensive linemen and linebackers at a surprising clip.

Yes, the existence of the Watt brothers helps the program’s case. But both T.J. and J.J. Watt will be in the NFL Hall of Fame, then add recent standouts including Leo Chenal, Keeanu Benton and Andrew Van Ginkel.

Wisconsin is often known for its running backs and offensive linemen. But the recent Dave Aranda and Jim Leonhard defenses have sent linebackers and pass-rushers to the NFL almost annually.

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We’ve recently updated Wisconsin’s all-time rushing, passing and receiving lists.

Today, we’re back to take a look at the program’s all-time sack leaders. Believe it or not, neither Watt brother is on the list.

Here sthe program’s up-to-date all-time sack list:

T.J. Watt’s cryptic 5-word post may have summed up feelings about Defensive Player of the Year snub

Was T.J. Watt mad about losing DPOY to Myles Garrett?

Did T.J. Watt find out that Myles Garrett would be named Defensive Player of the Year on Thursday and not himself before the 2024 NFL Honors ceremony?

Because it sure seemed like the pass-rusher who led the NFL in sacks with 19.0 this season caught wind of it, given what he posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, about an hour before the festivities got underway.

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“Nothing I’m not used to,” he remarked. He won the award back in 2021 after notching 22.5 sacks and 21 tackles for a loss (both led the league), but he’s finished second (2020) and third (2019). So maybe this is his way of saying he should have won it multiple times:

How to watch four former Wisconsin Badgers in today’s NFL Pro Bowl Games

How to watch four former Wisconsin Badgers in today’s NFL Pro Bowl Games

The NFL Pro Bowl is later today — or Pro Bowl Games given the move away from a true football game. The shift occurred entering 2023 as the league opted to move away from contact in the exhibition contest, or as years of players not trying pushed them to do so. Regardless, there is one football-adjacent activity today. It’s the NFL’s Pro Bowl Games.

Four former Wisconsin Badgers earned the nod this season: Miami Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold, Baltimore Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson.

Related: Power ranking all 18 Big Ten football programs after the 2023 season

The game kicks off — or begins, given it’s a flag football game and not played with traditional rules — at 2 p.m. central / 3 p.m. eastern on ESPN and ABC.

Here’s why Cowboys CB DaRon Bland should be defensive player of the year

20 years from now, no one is going to remember the performances put on by the 2023 edge rushers. But they’ll still be talking about Bland, and the TDs aren’t his only argument. | From @KDDrummondNFL

He’s not the Sauce, but his game is seasoned with more flavor than any of the other options on the menu. We weren’t shooting with him in the gym and we certainly weren’t cooking in the kitchen when he was prepping, but we were invited to attend the grand opening of a future three-star Michelin rating for Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland.

After a shockingly strong rookie campaign where he ascended to secondary sous chef behind Trevon Diggs, the latest Al Harris protege was sent to study. Leading the team with five interceptions out of the slot in 2022 wasn’t enough. Instead the team asked him to master boundary-corner cuisine. And what he created when taking over the kitchen in 2023 was worthy of accolade.

Just like Fx’s The Bear was the best show on cable television in 2023, Bland was that on broadcast TV. The NFL is king, owning 96 of the 100 most-watched programs since September and no player stole the spotlight more than Bland did. He was the NFL’s best defender this season and should be the clear choice to be named Defensive Player of the Year.

But the voters are going to get it wrong.

Those voters are likely giving the award to one of the game’s preeminent edge rushers. The food critics are league media, and the buzz throughout the last month of the season is likely reflective of what the final reviews will look like.

And the media aren’t talking about Bland’s historic season the way they should be.

Bills vs. Steelers: Injury updates for star defenders TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick

#Bills vs. #Steelers: Injury updates for star defenders TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick:

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one star on their defense trending in one way ahead of facing the Buffalo Bills in the upcoming 2023 Wild-Card round… and another big name heading in the other direction.

Starting with the bad news for the Steelers (10-7), Pittsburgh will be without TJ Watt against the Bills (11-5), according to Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

With 19 sacks, Watt is again the league’s sack leader for the third time four seasons. That’s a huge loss. He injured his knee in Pittsburgh’s season finale.

Clearly one of the NFL’s best defensive players, the pass rusher has caused havoc against Buffalo in his career with 2.5 sacks, nine QB hits, three tackles for loss, two passes defended and two forced fumbles in four games played.

On the flip side, there was optimism from Tomlin regarding All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) per Steelers Wire. Fitzpatrick has missed Pittsburgh’s last three games and could be back to travel up to Buffalo.

Time will tell… as will the injury reports.

Bills Wire will provide injury updates for both teams ahead of their Wild-Card matchup throughout the coming week.

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J.J. Watt had the most diabolical idea after his brother T.J. was ruled out of the Steelers’ playoff opener

Who’s gonna know? Nobody’s gonna know.

The Steelers earned themselves the final playoff spot in the AFC after ending the season on a three-game winning streak. But Saturday’s win against the Baltimore Ravens came at a cost, and you know what? J.J. Watt might have the perfect idea.

Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in Saturday’s win. And with the quick turnaround for Sunday’s wild-card matchup with the Bills, T.J. won’t be able to play. Mike Tomlin officially ruled T.J. out on Tuesday, leaving J.J. with an awfully tempting solution.

Just check out his response to Adam Schefter’s tweet on T.J.’s injury status.

J.J. jokingly offered to suit up in T.J.’s place and see if anyone notices.

Of course, that won’t happen. J.J. retired at the end of last season and his contract situation with the Cardinals would be a roadblock for any playoff team to sign him. It was just a joke with an impressive photo edit.

Fans understandably loved the tweet and the idea, though.

Wisconsin legend T.J. Watt is nearing an NFL record

A former Wisconsin Badger now leads the NFL in sacks

Former Wisconsin Badger T.J. Watt is dominating yet another football game. The former Badger just recently got home twice to sack Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley, his 18th and 19th sacks of the season respectively.

Watt entered the afternoon tied with Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson for the league lead with 17 sacks. Today’s tallies put Watt in the solo lead with the regular season coming to a close.

The future Hall of Fame linebacker’s season numbers are now up to 68 tackles, 19 sacks, 18 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and one interception.

If the result stands, Watt would also be the only player in NFL history to lead the NFL in sacks in three different seasons. He’s previously done it in 2020 and 2021.

It’s the conclusion of another NFL season, and T.J. Watt remains one of the most dominant defenders in the league.

WATCH: Former Wisconsin Badgers dominate in Steelers win over Bengals

WATCH: Former Wisconsin Badgers dominate in Steelers win over Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers escaped Cincinnati with a 16-10 win yesterday. It was not the prettiest of wins, but it came thanks to stellar defensive play — much of that coming from former Wisconsin Badgers.

The Steelers currently employ four Wisconsin products, all along the defensive front: DT Keeanu Benton, OLB T.J. Watt, OLB Nick Herbig and DT Isaiahh Loudermilk.

Watt, the big name of the group, had a big day yesterday with five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. He is now the NFL’s sack leader with 13.5.

He wasn’t the only one involved, though. Nick Herbig got to Cincinnati quarterback Jake Browning for his second sack of the season, while Keeanu Benton added two tackles of his own.

Here are the highlights from the former Badgers on the Steelers:

Darius Slay breaks down why DaRon Bland deserves DPOY award

Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro Darius Slay breaks down why Dallas Cowboys CB DaRon Blands deserves the Defensive Player of Year award

Darius Slay is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL, and he’s also a man who recognizes quality football while not being afraid to show love to the opposition.

Dallas won their 13th straight game at home on Thanksgiving Day, blowing out Washington, 45-10, in front of a raucous home crowd. In the win, second-year cornerback DaRon Bland returned an interception 63 yards for the Cowboys’ final score in a 45-10, breaking the record for interception returns for a touchdown in one season.

Entering Thursday, Bland had been tied with Eric Allen (1993), Jim Kearney (1972), and Ken Houston (1971) for the record.

He’s now the sole owner, and Slay, the Eagles star and best cornerback, showed no hate in proclaiming Blandthis year’s Defensive Player of the Year.

During Philadelphia’s final practice of the week on Friday, Slay explained his reasoning for crowning the opposition and a hated rival.

To put what Bland is doing into perspective, Bland has more defensive touchdowns than any other NFL team this season.

The Indianapolis Colts are second with three.

Bland’s five touchdowns equal or more than notable offensive stars like Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, and Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs.

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