The Pittsburgh
Steelers had high hopes for the 2018 season. After a 13-3
2017 season in his rookie season, T.J. Watt was
ready for bigger and better things in 2018 — especially a deep playoff push.
None of that happened as the Steelers plunged to mediocrity
after a six game winning streak dropped their record to 7-2-1, only to finish
the season with a 9-6-1 record. Throughout the 2018 season one thing became
evident — Watt has the look of a cornerstone player on the defense.
When he was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, some
experts viewed the pick as a reach. However, when Watt produced 13 sacks in
2018, the first outside linebacker to reach double digit sacks since James
Harrison did it almost a decade ago, the future looks
extremely bright for the former Wisconsin product.
As the Steelers moved away from marquee names from those
legendary 2000s defenses, they struggled to find players who could fill those
monstrous shoes. When James Harrison, James Farrior, Ryan Clark, Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu and
even Brett Keisel all
left, what ensued were several failed attempts to fill those spots.
Until Watt happened.
Watt has the look, and is now showing the improvement and
production, of the next great Steelers defender to wear the black-and-gold.
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