The off-season for the Pittsburgh Steelers is just beginning after the 2022 regular season came to a screeching halt on Sunday following a 28-14 win over the Cleveland Browns. The team found a way to somehow extend head coach, Mike Tomlin's non-losing season streak and finished up at 9-8. The future seems to be bright after what many expected to be a rebuilding year. Plenty of decisions will have to be made in the coming weeks and months about who the franchise still wants to have around, as well as determine what coaches and players may be expendable. One player not being talked about just yet is the brother of the team's best player.
Steelers fullback and special teams ace, Derek Watt (#44) warms up on the field at Acrisure Stadium prior to a 2022 regular season game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Back in 2020, Pittsburgh signed D. Watt to a three-year, $9.75 million deal that had fans excited. One piece of that was because he was joined with his brother, T.J. Watt and the other was that the offense may actually utilize the fullback position. Unfortunately, the first two years, D. Watt only played 4.73% of snaps in 2020 and 7.33% in 2021. He was pretty much a non-factor offensively. While he was only on the field for 6.64% of snaps in 2022, he made a much more significant impact when on the field than in his first two years.
Up until the second to last week of the season, the fullback had been perfect on third and fourth down conversions when being handed the ball. He was a threat when it mattered most and consistently bulldozed his way across the yellow first down marker. He even doubled his career touchdown total in 2022. He caught a touchdown pass from former Steelers' wide receiver, Chase Claypool against the Philadelphia Eagles and ran in for a score on Sunday versus Cleveland.
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 08: Derek Watt #44 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. | Photo Credit: Joe Sargent / Getty Images
In the middle of the 2022 campaign, D. Watt spoke to the media and reassured fans that he is confident in himself after some criticism prior to the season starting that he was significantly overpaid. While he doesn't control how often he steps onto the field with the offensive huddle, he believes he can make an impact when he does:
"I’m a good fullback and try to do what I can on offense when my number is called. I don’t control when I’m in or out of the game. When I’m out there, I’ve got to try to make the most of them and earn a few more that way."
He definitely made the most of it throughout the entire season and his play absolutely should warrant another contract in Pittsburgh so he can continue to grow with a young offense, but also remain the Steelers' top special teams player. He played 66.21% of snaps on special teams which was tied for the most on the team with Miles Killebrew. Given the organization's cap situation, his contract may not be as lucrative or lengthy as the first, but it would be a mistake to let him walk.
Steelers fullback, Derek Watt (#44) makes a catch at Acrisure Stadium during 2022 training camp in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation.com (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
D. Watt is a very valuable and underrated part of Pittsburgh's operation. He contributed significantly in two phases of the game. Despite his low snap count on offense, he still was extremely valuable on short third and fourth down conversions. Pair that with his excellent special teams play and there is no way the general manager, Omar Khan and Tomlin can sit back and not do everything they can to bring him back next season.
Do you think D. Watt deserves another contract with the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!
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