Mike Tomlin details why TJ Watt is in an 'elite' class

Ever since the Steelers drafted him, linebacker T.J. Watt has shown the organization each season they were right to spend a first-round pick on him. Head coach Mike Tomlin has had a front-row seat to the former defensive player of the year’s development.

On the Rich Eisen Show this week, Tomlin discussed his star defender and what makes him such a unique talent.

“He’s in that elite class,” Tomlin said. “And not only because of his talent, but his commitment daily. The physical work that he does, the classroom work, his approach to his business, it’s elite. It’s like some of the guys we got a chance to spend some time with a few weeks ago (Pro Football Hall of Fame).

“Everyone obviously talks about his talent but man, he sets a really good example for the young Steelers, like on a day like today. Just watching him go about his business and the professionalism and the urgency, every single day, he’s at the tip-top of that elite group, for sure.”

Due to injury, Watt suited up in just 10 games in 2022, compiling a career-low 5.5 sacks. The Steelers, who finished 9-8, went 8-2 with Watt in the lineup.

Watt: ‘Been too long’ since Steelers Super Bowl

It’s been 15 years since the Pittsburgh Steelers won their last Super Bowl. That came in 2008 when they defeated the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII.

To T.J. Watt — who entered the league nearly 10 years later — it’s about time Pittsburgh brings home a Lombardi Trophy once again.

“It’s been too long,” Watt said last month. “I haven’t done it here yet. That’s important to me.”

The Steelers open up the regular season slate this weekend. It’s Watt’s sixth season in the NFL, and the five-time Pro Bowler knows it’s also been a long time since Pittsburgh won a playoff game. That happened in 2016 when the Steelers made it to the AFC Championship game, just a few months before drafting Watt.

That puts into perspective just how long it’s been since Pittsburgh fans experienced a playoff victory. Watt said while winning the Super Bowl is the goal, it’s all about the process to getting there.

“You can’t win a Super Bowl if you don’t start with a playoff game,” Watt said. “We’re always trying to take it one game at a time, but certainly, we know the end goal is to win a Super Bowl and in order to do that, you have to start with winning playoff games.”

The journey back to the playoffs begins on Sunday with a home game against the San Francisco 49ers.