The Pittsburgh Steelers are a new-look football team going into the 2025 season. There has been a ton of turnover on the roster, and some believe the roster has taken a major step forward. It will be all about executing once the season begins, but the Steelers seem to have all the tools to succeed, which includes veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. His performance is going to be what drives the offense as a unit, while TJ Watt continuing to play at a high level is also important for the other side of the ball.
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Steelers' TJ Watt looks on in pain after suffering an ankle injury against the Eagles near the end of the 2024 season.
Watt has been one of the most disruptive defenders in the league since he was drafted by Pittsburgh back in 2017. He became the first player in the history of the NFL to lead the league in sacks in three separate seasons, and he also tied the single-season sack record back in 2021 with 22.5 sacks.
This is a record every defender strives for. He tied Michael Strahan's sack record, but recent Hall of Famer Jared Allen, during his induction, took his claim to the record as he swears he had 23 sacks in 2011.
"The reality is I hold the single-season sack record." Allen claimed. "Not TJ Watt in 17 games, and not Michael Strahan. Facts are facts. It's on film. I sacked Aaron Rodgers. They took it from me, called it a team sack."
Allen was playing for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2011 season, and they were playing Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in Week 10. Minnesota got destroyed, and Allen had one sack. However, he claims he should have two. Rodgers dropped a snap, picked the ball up and looked to throw, and Allen knocked him down. He believes it should have been a sack, but the NFL awarded it as a team sack for Minnesota.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2025 minicamp, Tuesday June 10, 2025.
Rodgers spoke during the video celebrating Allen's career, and he was wearing his practice jersey for Pittsburgh in the video as he was getting ready to practice or had just finished practice. He practically stripped the single-season sack record away from Watt and gave it to Allen, which probably isn't a great way to build chemistry within the team.
"Hey Jared, it's Aaron." Rodgers said. "You are the all-time single-season sack leader. I don't care what the numbers say, because that phantom bull***t sack they took away from you would give you the record. So in my book, and probably in most Vikings fans books, you're the all time single season sack leader my friend."
Allen officially finished the 2011 season with 22 sacks, which was just short of Strahan's 22.5 at the time. Watt tied Strahan in 2021 with 22.5, although it did come in 17 games, even though Watt only played in 15 contests. With the extra game being added on to the schedule during the 2021 season, a lot of players' production has been questioned when it is compared to players of the past, which is the same argument that is made against Watt, despite him missing two games that year.
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Steelers' TJ Watt smiles before a Week 12 game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football.
Steelers' TJ Watt Should Have Plenty Of Motivation To Claim Record
Watt is coming off of a disappointing end to the 2024 season, and he had a wild offseason as he went through a contract dispute with the organization. He finally came to an agreement with the franchise, and the last time he signed a new deal was before the 2021 season.
That is when he tied the single-season sack record, so he should be coming for it again in 2025. The added motivation of his quarterback taking his record away should also put a chip on his shoulder, although he probably doesn't need much external motivation.
What do you think about Allen's claim to the record and Rodgers' comments? Let us know in the comments below!
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