The Pittsburgh Steelers owe much of their success to the exceptional talent of T.J. Watt. Over his seven seasons with the team, Watt has accumulated an impressive 96.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 401 combined tackles, and 107 tackles for a loss. He is an offensive line's worst nightmare, and his absence is sorely felt; without Watt in the lineup, the Steelers have a dismal 1-10 record in the regular season.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' TJ Watt stretching before 2023 training camp.
Now at 29, Watt is entering the deeper stages of his prime and is increasingly focused on his longevity. For the first time in his career, Watt has admitted to feeling the effects of aging. Known for his diligence in sleep, nutrition, and recovery, Watt has made significant adjustments to his regimen this offseason.
Despite being in his prime, the fast-paced nature of the NFL means that players' performance can decline unpredictably. Steelers fans are hopeful that Watt will continue to perform at an elite level for several more seasons. On Monday, Watt spoke to the media about the changes he has implemented to avoid injuries, highlighting his commitment to maintaining peak performance and extending his career.
“Just being smarter. I am not going crazy in the weight room anymore. I am not trying to set personal records in the weight room as far as max reps or max weight. It is just about maintaining and trying to stay healthy. That is first and foremost most important thing right now is to stay healthy.”
The days of Watt chasing personal records in the weight room are long gone, and for good reason. At this stage in his career, Watt is focused on maintaining his strength rather than pushing for new benchmarks. However, there is one aspect of his workouts that he is working exceptionally hard to improve.
“I am trying to get as much sleep, but I have always been on that stuff and nutrition… Continually trying to learn. Work, ankle, knee and hip mobility all of those things are going to be able to help me bend and do my job as I get older.”
No one strikes more fear into blockers than Watt. He's a relentless force, pursuing opponents all game long until he secures at least two sacks. In the 2023 season, Watt led the league with an impressive 19 sacks.
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Edge rusher, TJ Watt, sacks quarterback Tyler Huntley during a Pittsburgh Steelers game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Although he was a strong candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award, he did not win it, leading many fans and pundits to believe he was snubbed.
Steelers' TJ Watt Is More Motivated Than Ever
Throughout the 2023 season, Watt expressed frustration with the NFL, sharing his thoughts publicly. When he didn't win the award, he remarked that it's something he's grown accustomed to. This only fueled his determination to have an even greater season in 2024. The thought of Watt surpassing his 2023 performance is a daunting prospect for any opponent.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' TJ Watt sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in Week 1 of the 2021 regular season.
Watt is undeniably one of the best players in the game, with many pundits considering him the most valuable non-quarterback in the league. This offseason, Watt has made significant changes to his routine and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the daily grind. As a result, he believes he has improved even further.
Steelers fans are eagerly anticipating Watt's return to dominance in the 2024 season. They are also thrilled to know that he has become even more diligent and wise about his regimen, ensuring he can prolong his stellar career.
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