Retired future Hall-of-Famer J.J. Watt schmoozed Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Twitter. Watt called Tomlin “an incredible coach and incredible man,” adding that “there’s a reason your players would run through a brick wall for you.”
Watt didn’t offer a reason why Tomlin’s players haven’t won a playoff game for him in six years.
But Tomlin has never had a losing season. (That’s a different thickness of wall.)
The conversation between Watt and Tomlin resulted in Watt angling for (and getting) an invitation to “visit” Tomlin, whatever that means.
It likely means that Watt would consider coming out of retirement to play for the Steelers. Watt recently called himself a “huge Steelers fan.”
The trio of Watt brothers have likely long harbored a dream of playing for the same NFL team. That could happen in Pittsburgh.
Edge rusher T.J. is under contract with the Steelers through 2025.
Fullback Derek is a free agent but could easily be re-upped.
J.J. played for Arizona last season. He’s 34 and missed just one game in 2022 after injury problems dating back to 2016. (J.J. didn’t play in 42 out of 97 games between 2016-21.)
J.J. did great last season. He had 12½ sacks, 18 tackles for loss, 25 quarterback hits and seven passes defended.
Having all three Watts is a good idea. At the right price.
Pay Derek the veteran minimum. He’s a fringe talent, a special-teams specialist.
J.J. has already made $129.7 million. Being a “huge Steelers fan,” perhaps he would play on the cheap.
The Steelers need depth at edge rusher. That’s not J.J.’s job, per se. He’s a defensive end, not an outside linebacker.
But J.J. could make do. He’d add depth and quality. Tomlin would get him on the field. (Would J.J. start ahead of Larry Ogunjobi?)
J.J. would probably get hurt, like T.J. too often does. The Steelers would have three Watts, and the worst of them would be most likely to be healthy.
Former Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor thinks it’s a good idea. Taylor advised J.J. to “stay in shape. Just in case.”
