Right now, it looks like the Steelers erred in giving edge rusher T.J. Watt a three-year, $123 million contract extension.
It seems too early to say that, right? The Steelers have played just two games.
But Watt’s impotence dates back through last season: He’s got no sacks in his last six games, no sacks in 12 of his last 17 games. (Six games without a sack is Watt’s career-worst streak.)
At his best, Watt has looked a constant threat. A sustained commotion.
Not anymore.
Don’t babble about pass rush win rate, or some other esoteric stat. You either get home, or you don’t. You don’t get paid $41 million per season for pass rush win rate. (By the way, Watt doesn’t rank among the top 20 edge rushers in pass rush win rate.)
Alibis are flying.
J.J. Watt was apoplectic when simping for his brother on ESPN:
“The ball is running away from him almost every single time.”
“A lot of chips, a lot of double-, triple-teams. I think he’s had literally six legitimate one-on-one pass rushes this year.”
Cry more.
They don’t pay $41 million per for excuses, either.
Those things happened to T.J. in the past, too. He overcame because he was younger and better.
Now he’s almost 31 and likely past his prime.
Seven defensive players were on the field for more snaps than T.J. in the Steelers’ 31-17 home loss to Seattle last Sunday. That includes T.J.’s backup, Nick Herbig.
If you’re going to be ineffective, at least put in the work. Why does T.J. sit so much?
Before T.J. inked his extension, it was paramount that he make more than his chief rival, Cleveland’s Myles Garrett.
Garrett is tied for the NFL sack lead with 3½. That’s 3½ more than T.J.
The Steelers made a mistake extending T.J. when they could have made him play out the final year of his existing contract, then franchised him once or twice as his play dictated.
There was no risk in that beyond T.J.’s unhappiness.
Instead, the Steelers guaranteed $108 million to a player who might be over the hill.
It’s a bit soon to say T.J. is washed up.
But it’s not too soon for T.J. to begin proving he isn’t.
Look at the Steelers’ roster and stat sheet. Paying name veterans too much money to underperform seems a developing theme.
