Pittsburgh Steelers explosive edge rusher, TJ Watt has already made remarkable history in the National Football League. Coming off a year where he just tied the NFL's single-season sack record, Watt is on the cusp of continuing to re-write the history books.
On Thursday this week, NFL.com's Jack Andrade listed some notable records that could fall, as well as some unique milestones that could be reached in 2022 across the league. Of the 17 scenarios Andrade listed, Watt and Pittsburgh came in at No. 10.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 08: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts during warm up before a game against the Chicago Bears at Heinz Field on November 08, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Not only has Watt put himself in an unprecedented individual situation for the coming year, the Steelers defense as a whole is trying to break its own unique record too. Here's what Andrade explained in his article:
10) T.J. Watt AND Steelers can set unprecedented sacks streaks
Since individual sacks were first tracked in 1982, only three players have led the league in the stat in consecutive seasons: Mark Gastineau with the Jets in 1983 and '84, Hall of Famer Reggie White with the Eagles in 1986 and '87, and T.J. Watt with the Steelers in each of the last two seasons.
Should Watt win the sack crown for an unprecedented third straight season, the Steelers will also likely extend their own streak of seasons with at least 50 sacks to six -- each season since Watt was drafted in 2017. That would break a tie with three teams from the 1980s for the longest streak of seasons with at least 50 team sacks since they were first tracked in 1963.
Whenever you're mentioned in the same breath as Gastineau and especially White, you know you're doing something right. Since entering the league in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft (30th overall), Watt has accumulated 72 sacks, 4 interceptions, 22 forced fumbles, and 7 fumble recoveries. He's likely to break the Steelers all-time sack record this season, currently set at 80.5 by James Harrison.
Steelers' Stars TJ Watt and Cam Heyward Listed as Top 5 NFL Duo
As for the Steelers defense, Watt leads a ferocious front seven that can't be talked about without also mentioning defensive captain, Cam Heyward. Since entering the league out of Ohio State in 2011, Heyward himself has 68 career sacks and has been a pivotal piece in this Steelers defense since he became a starter. The Steelers total sack count is currently lightyears ahead of all other NFL teams over the last five seasons, and these two stars are a big reason because of that.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle, Cam Heyward, left (#97), and edge rusher, TJ Watt, right (#90) celebrate during pregame warmups at Heinz Field in 2021. | Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO
If Watt leads the league again in sacks and the Steelers defense is able to eclipse the 50-sack mark for the sixth straight season, all signs point to this team being right back in the thick of the playoff race come December. They'll need to be on their A-Game once again as they'll be paired with an extremely young offense heading into the regular season. Growing pains are likely, but if this Steelers defense can continue its hot streak, the sky's the limit for the black and gold in 2022.
So what do yinz think? Will Watt lead the league again in sacks and will the Steelers continue their 50-sack streak!? Click to comment below!
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