The Pittsburgh Steelers' start to the 2023 season was an unmitigated disaster. The Steelers lost 30-7 to the San Francisco 49ers. Kenny Pickett played his worst game as a professional and Diontae Johnson hurt his hamstring, projected to miss four weeks. George Pickens is very unhappy with his role and the team desperately needs its leadership group to calm the troubled waters.
Matt Freed / Associated Press
Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward watches helplessly from the sidelines in a 30-7 loss in Week 1
Unfortunately, Cam Heyward, the long-time defensive captain of the Steelers, is a massive component of that leadership group and is projected to miss half the season with a severe groin injury. The saying goes that in each life, some rain must fall.
Pat McAfee of the wildly popular The Pat McAfee Show attempted to brighten Steelers fans' outlook on the remainder of 2023 on Wednesday. He welcomed JJ Watt into his now regular slot on the program as a guest analyst. McAfee took off his host hat and proceeded with his best Omar Khan imitation to recruit TJ Watt's older brother and bluntly asked the question on every Steelers fan's mind now that Heyward is out.
“Are you playing for them,” McAfee asked. “You did great on CBS. Good suit game too. But we also see that you’re a psychopath still working out the same exact way as if you were still playing. Pittsburgh is just naturally saying, JJ Watt is going to play for the Steelers whenever we make a run. Cam Heyward gets hurt, there is a spot suddenly open. JJ Is going to be a Steeler.”
JJ Comeback? Steelers' TJ Watt Continues Brutal Offseason Workouts With Retired Brother
The fantasy of seeing the Watt brothers play together on the defensive side of the football has been circulating in Pittsburgh since before the elder Watt brother joined the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent. Injuries have defined the second half of his career. When healthy, he is still a highly effective player. Watt chose his words carefully in his reply.
“I’m enjoying this job,” Watt smiled ear to ear. “I love the city of Pittsburgh. I love the people there. I love the way that they treat my brother, the history, the tradition. So much respect for that place, it’s incredible. I’m enjoying being retired. It’s great.”
McAfee, who thrives in pushing forward points with a tongue planted firmly in his cheek, was quick to react. He channeled the famous Dumb and Dumber scene to give Pittsburgh fans hope that the door might be slightly ajar.
“Sounds like there’s a chance,” McAfee quipped. “Don’t give up Yinzers. Don’t give up. Didn’t hear a no there.”
If JJ were healthy and would return to the gridiron to play for Mike Tomlin, it would solve many problems in Pittsburgh. Watt would have a heavy workload initially, but when Heyward returns, the Steelers would have a very deep rotation at defensive end. It would also give the Steelers defense an adequate replacement for the defensive captain, who would hold the same gravitas in the locker room.
The Pat McAfee Show
Steelers' TJ Watt and his brother JJ Watt working on pass-rushing moves in the backyard.
McAfee pointed out the phenomenal shape that the elder Watt is still in at this point. The show flashed photographs of the brothers working out over the summer on pass-rushing moves. The eldest Watt looks to be in phenomenal shape and is arguably more fit than his younger brother in the photos.
The former three-time AP Defensive Player of The Year can still play if he chooses and would be a free agent. However, he demonstrated on Sunday that he would likely be a studio analyst for as long as he wanted the job for CBS. JJ is gregarious and a natural behind the mic. The lure of playing with his brother, for Pittsburgh, and Tomlin might prove too strong in the end, but for today, the answer was no.
The Pat McAfee Show
Pat McAfee presses Steelers case for signing JJ Watt.
Steelers fans should not give up hope yet. In the infamous words of Lloyd Christmas and paraphrasing McAfee, "So you are telling me there's a chance." Fans can hold onto the slimmest of hopes. After all, JJ didn't actually say no.
What do you think, Steeler Nation? Should the Steelers throw every bit of cap money on the books at Watt for a final 2023 run in the black and gold? Please comment below, or on my Twitter/X: @thebubbasq.
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