Steelers' TJ Watt Disrespected By Former Teammate For Lacking The Motor Of One Of The League's Great Defenders

The Pittsburgh Steelers got a steal during the 2017 NFL Draft when they selected TJ Watt with the 30th overall pick. Somehow 29 teams passed on Watt before he went on to become one of the league's best defenders. Watt is used to being disrespected at this point in his career, as he has been snubbed for multiple Defensive Player Of The Year Awards, which was even admitted by the eventual recipient of the award - Aaron Donald. Disrespect is nothing new for Watt, but this time, it came from one of his former teammates.

Watt has led the NFL in sacks in three separate seasons, and he is the first and only NFL player to ever accomplish that feat. He is also tied with Michael Strahan for the most sacks in a single season with 22.5, yet it still seems he is overlooked in lieu of other players like Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, and Donald until he retired following the 2023 season. Crosby now hosts a podcast, The Rush With Maxx Crosby, and he recently had former Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane on the show. Spillane spoke about what separates Crosby and Watt, specifically Crosby's high motor and effort level.

"What separates Maxx is his motor. The fact that he plays 99 percent of snaps as a d-end on the line dealing with 330 pound tackles, and doing it 60-70 times a game at the effort that he gives is untouchable. I don't think there's anyone in the league that touches that level of motor."

Spillane is now an above-average middle linebacker for the Las Vegas Raiders, so him speaking highly of his teammate isn't a shock. He is one of the captains on the defensive side of the ball for Las Vegas, therefore it wouldn't be a great look to praise his former teammate instead of his current one. However, Crosby's production on the field hasn't come close to Watt's. Crosby has yet to record 15 sacks in a season, a number Watt has hit three times already.

Edge rushers often come off the field a handful of times during a game so they can recoup their energy. Crosby does the opposite, which is why he is so highly respected throughout the NFL. He has played over 95 percent of the Raiders defensive snaps over the last two seasons, while Watt has only been on the field for 83 percent of Pittsburgh's snaps when he has been healthy and available. 

Crosby deserves all the praise he receives for working his body to the limit throughout the season, but despite him being on the field for nearly every defensive snap, his production is still lacking. Crosby played 150 more defensive snaps than Watt during the 2023 season, yet Watt had more sacks, forced fumbles, passes defended, interceptions, fumble recoveries, and quarterback hits than Crosby. 

Crosby is a star and one of the best defenders in the NFL, but playing every snap might not be the best strategy. Watt is strategic in when he comes off the field for a breather, and it allows him to recover from previous plays so that he can make the biggest impact possible when he comes back on the gridiron. 

Steelers' TJ Watt Still Receives Praise From Spillane

After showering his current teammate in praise and respect, Spillane still gave his former teammate of four years his flowers. Spillane mainly spoke about Watt's production on the field, and his ability to make game changing plays by forcing turnovers, which Watt has been exceptional at.

"His ability to affect games is insane with turnovers, and ball searching in terms of swatting down passes. So they're two of the best in the league."

Watt has been known to be active in the passing game, but not just by rushing the quarterback. Watt has seven interceptions throughout his career as an outside linebacker, and is always looking to get his hand on the ball as he has swatted down 45 passes with the Steelers. Watt also plays the ball whenever he is sacking the quarterback, which shows with the 27 forced fumbles so far.