Steelers Advised To Consider Trading TJ Watt After Wild Take Gains Traction

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been exceptionally fortunate to have TJ Watt on their roster for the past seven seasons. Drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Watt has proven to be a game-changer for the team. His presence on the field often translates into victories, with the Steelers boasting a strong record when he plays. In contrast, their performance suffers dramatically without him, as evidenced by their 1-10 record in games where he doesn’t play.

Despite Watt’s outstanding contributions, the Steelers have struggled to contend for the Super Bowl in recent years. In fact, Watt has yet to win a playoff game, leading some media personalities to speculate about trading him while his value is high, potentially signaling a new rebuilding phase for Pittsburgh.

On Friday, Jason McIntyre, filling in on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, proposed a bold idea: he believes the Steelers should consider putting Watt on the trading block. According to McIntyre, this move could benefit the team in the long run.

"If you want to turn things around in Pittsburgh and there is no end in sight, the way this team is built… here’s a radical idea, sometimes you need to get radical. I think you gotta put TJ Watt on the trading block."

First and foremost, the idea of trading Watt is not something the Steelers are considering. Watt is firmly entrenched as a Steeler for life, and the notion of him playing elsewhere is highly unlikely. However, the concept of trading him, while far-fetched, does spark some interesting discussion.

Despite the improbability, McIntyre’s proposal holds a certain logic. With Mike Tomlin at the helm, the Steelers are perennially competitive, making a full rebuild difficult as they continually find themselves in playoff contention. 

McIntyre suggests that now might be the moment to entertain trading Watt, seizing an opportunity while his value is high. Although it would be a risky and crazy move, it underscores the challenge of balancing competitiveness with the need for a strategic rebuild.

"29 years old, gonna turn 30 soon and I know he’s the most popular Steeler. He makes so many incredible plays look at that interception, dropping back into coverage. TJ Watt can do it all, he is tremendous. So why the he** would you trade him, Jay? You are trading our best defensive player? Because it’s not a defensive league."

The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Despite this, Tomlin has never had a losing season in his 17-year tenure as head coach. 

Recently, however, their playoff performances have been disappointing, with several blowout defeats. Notably, their 2023 loss to the Buffalo Bills came while Watt was sidelined due to injury. McIntyre argues that teams focused on defense, like the Steelers, have struggled to compete effectively, a trend he believes is evident in their recent seasons.

"I gave you guys the numbers yesterday. Every playoff game that they have been to and gotten smashed in the last six years, they are giving up 30 or 40 points. So what’s the point of being built around defense?"

Steelers Would Likely Get A Lot Back In TJ Watt Trade

If the Steelers ever entertained the idea of trading Watt, McIntyre suggests they could potentially receive at least two first-round picks in return. This prospect is certainly intriguing, especially given questions about how much longer Watt can maintain his elite level of play. 

Watt’s unique energy and effort on the field have undoubtedly taken a toll on his body, and he admitted this offseason that he’s beginning to feel his age. Despite this, many Steelers fans believe he still has several top-tier seasons ahead of him.

McIntyre also mentioned the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions as potential suitors for Watt. While the notion of trading Watt is interesting, it’s likely to be dismissed by most Steelers fans. The team’s focus remains on not only securing a playoff win for Watt, but also achieving a Super Bowl victory.

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