It is finally that time of the year and football season is officially underway which means the Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to make some noise in 2023. On Tuesday, the team had their first padded practice of the season, and everyone is excited to see how they do. One player that everyone is excited to watch this year is outside linebacker, TJ Watt.
Gene J. Puskar / AP
Steelers edge rusher, TJ Watt (#90) chases down Ravens elusive quarterback, Lamar Jackson (#8) during a regular season game in Pittsburgh, PA.
During the 2022 season, he had to miss a stretch of games due to a torn pectoral muscle. During that time, the team struggled as they barely pulled together a few wins. When he came back, however, things changed and the Steelers almost made the playoffs. This will put all the eyes on the 2021 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Watt Gives The Steelers Everything That They Need To Be Super Bowl Contenders
Watt has been known to be the leader of not only this defense, but the entire team. He has expressed multiple times that his main goal is to be hoisting a Lombardi Trophy as a Super Bowl champion and now that the Steelers are finally in pads, it is time to see if 2023 is the year he can do just that. Watt commented a little bit about that before the team's first padded practice saying how the days like Tuesday create the team's identity.
"You find out a lot about your team and create your identity on days like today."
— Jack Hillgrove (@JackWTOV9) August 1, 2023
The 2021 DPOY on getting to put pads on today for the first time in 7 months. @WTOV9 pic.twitter.com/FsAeyDU1WE
After a great offseason, this team may just be the one to make a run to the Super Bowl. The defense looks to be the best that it has been since 2008 and their young offensive core can give the Steelers everything that they need to be Super Bowl contenders.
-544x306.jpg "Steelers TJ Watt")
AP Photo/Don Wright
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) gets a hand on Detroit Lions quarterback Tim Boyle (12) as he pressures him during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Pittsburgh. No penalty was called.
Watt has seemed to be taking precautions when it comes to 2023 so that he can hopefully have a clean year with no injuries. He has already taken rest days during Organized Team Activities (OTAs) as well as taking days off during training camp. Hopefully taking certain days off and gaining rest will keep him healthy for the long haul.
Graham (29) out here in a sling. 😔 A bunch of other guys not expected today (day off), like Watt, Cam, Seumalo and Minkah FYI. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/xViViTSJTl
— B-Wall (@BWall) July 30, 2023
Health will be the biggest question mark for the Steelers in 2023, but they have done everything that they can to make sure there is depth if an injury happens to occur. Just recently, they brought in former Pro Bowl linebacker, Kwon Alexander to hopefully solidify that position. This was just one of the many additions that will make the Steelers better in 2023.
Jack Dempsey | Associated Press
Former New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL football game in Denver.
Watt is not the only one who has one goal in mind. Steelers General Manager, Omar Khan and the rest of the Steelers staff, have expressed how they just want to win another Super Bowl for Pittsburgh. Khan, otherwise known as the "Khan Artist," has done an impressive job of trying to shape this team into a Super Bowl-contending group. He has been able to bring in some solid personnel in just his little time in this position and hopefully has been able to bring back the old-school Steelers identity.
"I don't know if I'd call myself aggressive. I'm just trying to win a Super Bowl. That's what I'm trying to do," Khan said.
So, what do you think Steeler Nation? What will their identity look like in 2023? Let me know in the comments below!
#SteelerNation
