Joe Burrow reveals why he treats Steelers linebacker TJ Watt 'like a DB'

What rivalry? Joe Burrow, the Bengals quarterback, only had compliments for Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt. Of course, you’d have to try hard to find anything negative about Watt’s game since he’s an annual contender for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

What impressed the Bengals quarterback the most about Watt was he plays like a much smaller player. Read on for the quote.

This time of year, NFL players are finishing off vacations. And they’re doing longer interviews to push their teams or pet projects. Burrow, who recently returned from a European vacation, did a recent appearance on the Pardon My Take podcast.

Here’s what he had to say about Watt:

“T.J. is a unique player in this league. There’s no other defensive lineman I have to treat like a DB. I have to be conscious of where he’s at because he’s going to jump up and catch it. And there’s nobody else who can do that.”

So Watt as a safety or cornerback. Sounds intriguing, right? Well, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review found a video clip of Watt doing his best DB impression when the Steelers played the Bengals back in November, 2022.

TJ Watt just intercepted it out of thin air 😱 @_TJWatt

📺: #CINvsPIT on CBS⁰📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/4yWkrypYYE pic.twitter.com/VsSiVgo5Yf

— NFL (@NFL) November 20, 2022

But Burrow couldn’t keep it all positive when it comes to Bengals-Steelers. He’d have to turn in his AFC North card. That’s why Burrow took a crack at Acrisure Stadium, the home of the Steelers. The Pitt Panthers also play their games at the stadium, but on Saturdays as opposed to Sunday. Stadium workers have to turn the field NFL ready between games.

Cue Burrow. Hr brought up when the Bengals go on the road to Pittsburgh.

“Sometimes Pitt plays on Saturday, and we get there on Sunday,” Burrow said. The Bengals players say “‘What’s all this sand?’ I guess it’s kitty litter? I hope not.”

Burrow is hoping to see a lot of Watt. That would mean the Bengals quarterback is healthy. After all, staying healthy is his main goal for the upcoming season. He strained his calf at the start of last year’s training camp, then aggravated the strain in week two against the Ravens. Eight weeks later, Burrow tore a ligament in his right wrist when the Bengals played at Baltimore. He needed surgery and his season was over.

“I want to be on the field for all the games,” he said in the interview with Complex Sports. “I know I’m going to play well when I’m out there. I’m at that point in my career where I’ve seen enough to know myself that I can go out there and play as well as anybody in the game.

The Bengals start training camp July 24. Meanwhile, Watt and the Steelers also start training camp on the same day.

“The biggest strides this year are going to be my body and learning how to get through the season, get through practices with my body, and feeling in tip-top shape,” the Bengals quarterback said. “And so that’s the main focus for the offseason.”