Pro Football Focus recently dropped a stat that only confirms what most Pittsburgh Steelers fans already knew — TJ Watt is not just good, he's the clutch difference-maker.
According to PFF, Watt leads the NFL in sacks recorded during one-score games since 2023, recording a whopping 24.5 sacks in this department over the past two seasons alone. Let that sink in. When the game is on the line, no one delivers quite like Watt. And somehow, the Pittsburgh Steelers still haven’t locked down the future Hall of Famer with a new deal.
It’s not just confusing — it’s borderline disrespectful.
This stat doesn't surprise me in the slightest. T.J. Watt is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Every time the defense needs a big stop, every time the team needs a momentum swing, Watt answers the call. He’s not just another star edge rusher; he’s the engine, the spark, the undeniable X-Factor.
Yet here we are, watching him go underappreciated while other edge rushers around the league cash in.
Look at the market — Andrew Van Ginkel got paid. Myles Garrett secured the bag. Maxx Crosby, too. And all of them, talented as they are, don’t bring the same game-altering presence in crucial moments that Watt does. His resume is stacked: 108 sacks, 33 forced fumbles.
More importantly — a habit of making game-changing plays when the team needs him most.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have no excuse for not extending TJ Watt's contract
That’s not just production, that’s leadership. That’s value you can’t measure.
Except now we can, thanks to PFF’s timely stat.
Still, the Steelers front office seems frozen, waiting... for what, exactly? A cheaper deal? The truth is, anything less than $35 million annually is a slap in the face. The market has spoken, and if Pittsburgh keeps dragging its feet, the price tag will only rise, along with Watt’s frustration.
I can’t blame him if he feels disrespected.
I’m frustrated too. This isn’t just about stats — this is about identity. TJ Watt is the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense. If they lose him, they lose more than just a pass rusher. They lose their tone-setter, their game-changer, their heartbeat.
The Steelers are on the verge of making a massive mistake — one that could cost them far more than cap space. It's time to stop hesitating and start appreciating. Pay the man. Before it's too late.