Pittsburgh Steelers fans are still adjusting to the reality of long-time Head Coach Mike Tomlin's departure from the organization, as they have known nothing else for nearly 20 years. For his players, that adjustment will be even more difficult to deal with. Many of them have spent their entire NFL careers with him leading the way, and several others are only here because of his influence.
Tomlin has always been labeled, for better or worse, a "players" coach. He is a true leader of men, someone players have made clear is an honor to play for. One of the most vocal in that regard has been star pass rusher T.J. Watt, who has said in the past that he only wanted to play for Tomlin, which was a big part of his decision to stay in Pittsburgh.
Now that Tomlin is out the door, questions about Watt's continued stay in Pittsburgh will certainly be a hot topic. If the report regarding the final meeting between Tomlin and his players from The Athletic's Mike DeFabo is any indication, there is real reason to think it won't just be speculation, either.
T.J. Watt's reaction to Mike Tomlin leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers is a huge signal he may want out
DeFabo's report includes initial reactions from several players, but Watt's may be the most important (and, frankly, heartbreaking).
“No,” star outside linebacker T.J. Watt said, sitting next to fellow defensive veterans Cameron Heyward and Alex Highsmith. “No. No. No. No. No,” he kept repeating over and over, his eyes welling with tears as Tomlin continued his speech."
It should be no surprise that Watt reacted the way he did to Tomlin's speech. He was the one who helped him go from being a late first-round pick in 2017 to being one of the NFL's most productive and feared defenders. He will certainly be in the Hall of Fame one day, even as his career seems to be slowing down at 31 years old.
The question now, on both his mind and many fans' minds, is what he wants to do now that the only coach he has ever known is no longer around. Watt is clearly no longer the dominant player he once was, and his contract is one that the Steelers may be better off without now that they are entering a new era.
Will he request a trade to a contender? Does he want to stick to his guns and try to retire as a Steeler? Could he even retire earlier than expected, just like his brother J.J. Watt did a few years ago? All of these options and more are likely running through his mind as we speak, but only he truly knows where his heart is at right now.
If Tomlin's decision to step down does end up ending Watt's time with the Steelers as well, it will be quite the bittersweet ending for both Pittsburgh icons.