Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt is one of the best in the business at getting after the quarterback. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year is putting together another stellar campaign in 2023, one that has included some history-making moments.
Watt became the Steelers’ all-time franchise leader in sacks earlier this season. In Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns, he broke James Harrison’s record of 80.5 sacks, a number which his current teammate, defensive tackle Cam Heyward, has also tied this season.
In Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Watt picked up 2.0 sacks, providing Jake Browning with his welcome to the NFL moment in his first career start. In the process, he became the second-fastest player to record 90 sacks, as that was his 98th career game.
NFL News & Rumors: T.J. Watt & Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
On the season, Watt has racked up 17.0 sacks, leading the NFL. If he can hold onto first place, he will make more history. Since the league began tracking individual sacks in 1982, eight players have led the NFL in sacks multiple times.
The last player to do so was J.J. Watt, T.J.’s brother, with the Houston Texans in 2012 and 2015. But, none of those players have accomplished the feat three times. If Watt can hold onto the league for the 2023 season, he will become the first player since the merger to lead the league in sacks three times.
While the NFL doesn’t recognize it, Pro Football Focus has charted sacks going back to 1960. Hall of Famer Deacon Jones led the league on five occasions based on those unofficial numbers, as Watt would be recognized as the only player to achieve the three-peat.
While the personal accolades are nice, winning is what Watt cares most about. He wants to help the Steelers snap their seven-year drought without a playoff win and would love to help the franchise win a Super Bowl ring.
“Getting into Year 7, you’re just trying to get to the Super Bowl,” Watt told CBS Sports just before the start of training camp. “I’ve played in three playoff games and haven’t won a single one, so that’s a big issue. That’s probably goal No. 1 is just to get into the playoffs and win a playoff game and just go from there.
NFL News & Rumors: T.J. Watt & Pittsburgh Steelers Updates
“I’m not about the individual goals anymore. I’ve set myself up nice where I’ve been having a good career but it doesn’t matter if you’re not winning games when they matter most. I think that’s objective No. 1, for sure.”
The Steelers have their work cut out for them to achieve that goal Watt has set. A three-game losing streak a few weeks ago put their playoff hopes in peril, but a strong finish against the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens would result in advancing to the postseason.
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