Steelers' Patrick Peterson Gives Optimistic Insights On TJ Watt's 2023 Offseason

When the Pittsburgh Steelers began their offseason preparation for the 2021 NFL season it wasn't exactly business as usual. Their generational pass rusher, TJ Watt, felt that his contract wasn't reflecting the production he consistently brought on the field (49.5 sacks since being drafted four years prior). Rather than make a public scene that would distract from the important prep work being done on the practice fields, Watt chose to "hold in" and practice alone, run his own drills, but was always nearby the rest of the team without actually becoming involved. 

When Watt missed the first day of the Steelers' 2023 Organized Team Activities (OTAs), the same worries from 2021 began to resurface, but according to Patrick Peterson, nobody has anything to be worried about.

Steelers Not Concerned With TJ Watt's Offseason Routine

Peterson and his cousin, former Steelers' cornerback, Bryant McFadden, recently spent time on their All Things Covered podcast answering questions from fans. It was SteelerNation's very own Brandon Wallace who asked whether Watt missing some OTA time was a worrisome trend or not. The new Steelers' cornerback said that Watt most definitely was present at OTAs, if not all of them.

As for the time Watt has missed and may miss prior to the start of the regular season, Peterson understands that the need to have Watt in every practice rep and each snap wouldn't just take away chances for the younger players, but Watt also has nothing to prove on the practice field. McFadden agreed that with his career thus far, his work ethic and his production, these early kinds of practices shouldn't focus on players like Watt.

"Cause it’s about young guys. You know what 90 gonna give you. We don’t need to see 90 out there like that right now.”

Peterson will be going into his 13th year in the NFL, so he has seen plenty of practices, impressive athletes, and different situations that got teams ready for the season. When it comes to Watt, though, Peterson has no doubts whatsoever about his dedication, plus he acknowledged that because Watt is in an upper echelon of truly great players - and still in his window of prime years - what makes them great isn't rudimentary drills next to rookies, it's the focus and self-will he never lets slip.

"Cause I know with me, I know with TJ as well, as great as he is, all of his time and dedication and sacrifices is into the game for those seven to eight months. Because that’s what makes him, I, and all the other guys who lasted long, who had great careers…that’s what made them great."

There was also another level to Peterson's reasons as to why Watt being present for every single event isn't just unnecessary, but it wouldn't make too much sense. The workload throughout offseason activities is not infinite, so when one person gets a rep it means that another player isn't. As McFadden made very clear, there is no doubt as to what Watt brings on every down, so giving him a monster share of the OTA reps means that his younger teammates won't get the experience they need ahead of the season. 

Speaking from having over a decade of offseasons under his belt, Peterson explained that with a limited amount of reps, and a few going to Watt, having him just standing there when he could certainly make better use of the time would be contradictory.

“Cause at the end of the day he’s not gonna be out there giving you – we got on average 10, 15, 25 snaps. TJ’s probably gonna be in there three to five, three to six snaps.”

Whether Watt is in the background of every video and picture of OTAs or not won't be the deciding factor for his 2023 production. As he has shown every season during his already brilliant career, he's going to step up when it counts come September.

Steelers' Sack Record In Sight For Two Players

The conversation stayed on Watt and the next fan question brought up how close Watt currently is to tying and then breaking the Steelers' all-time sack record currently held by James Harrison (80.5 career sacks).

Peterson apparently wasn't aware of the slim gap between Watt's career total (77.5) and the 80.5 that has Harrison at the top of that storied list. When he found out from McFadden that Watt was only three sacks away from tying the record, the surprise was very apparent. The fan question asked the hosts which 2023 game would be the one where Watt breaks the record. It didn't take long for Peterson to grin and the excitement boiled over as he began to shimmy back and forth while singing his answer, rather than simply giving it.

"Viva, Las Vegas! Viva, Las Vegas!"

The Steelers play the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 3 on Sunday Night Football, and under the lights on a national stage would be a perfect situation for Watt to take his place at the apex of Pittsburgh defensive lore. However, as McFadden also pointed out, Watt's high-motor teammate, Cameron Heyward, is actually closer than Watt to the record, but due to their respective positions, the likelihood of Heyward reaching it before Watt is a stretch.

There is little doubt that by the end of 2023, there will be a new number one and two on the Steelers' all-time sack list, with Harrison at third overall. The rapid amassing of sacks by Watt, considering that he is nearing the peak of Steelers' pass rush history despite only playing six seasons so far make his 77.5 total all the more impressive.

McFadden asked Peterson when he thinks the two will get over Harrison's number of 80.5. While both are elite players at their positions, it won't be a total shock if Watt reaches the number one spot long before Heyward does, but Peterson believes both will accomplish the feat before the halfway point in 2023.

“I’m gonna go Week 3 for TJ and Week 7 for Cam.”

Which week of 2023 will Watt break Harrison's sack record? Will Heyward keep pace as well?

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