Mike Tomlin: T.J. Watt 'is the best defensive player on the planet'

The Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4) are far from a perfect football team, but one thing remains true: T.J. Watt is one of the best players not just on defense, but in the entire NFL.

And whether it’s Thursday, Sunday or Monday, the 29-year-old linebacker shows up every game with a big-time performance. Healthy this season after missing seven games in 2022 with a torn pectoral muscle, Watt leads the league with 13.5 sacks.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin went as far Tuesday to call Watt “the best defensive player on the planet right now.”

“Not only for the defense but for our football team,” Tomlin said, via the team’s website. “There is a lot to learn from him in terms of how he goes about his business, how he works to maximize his talent level. What he does to maintain a level of production.

“Let’s be honest. T.J. is the best defensive player on the planet right now. And he proves that week in and week out with the plays that he delivers us.”

T.J. Watt having All-Pro caliber season for Steelers

It’s hard to argue with Tomlin, as Watt has been arguably the most consistent pass-rusher since entering the league in 2017 as a first-round pick out as Wisconsin. In seven seasons, Watt has totaled 91.0 sacks, 374 tackles (274 solo), 26 forced fumbles, 187 quarterback hits and seven interceptions. He is two years removed from winning his first-career AP Defensive Player of the Year Award and could be headed towards another — all while teams around the league continue to try and find ways to minimize his impact on each game.

“I get a bird’s eye view of it. I see the lengths that people go through to minimize his impact on the game,” Tomlin said. “… Know the type of games that we’ve been in close ball games, and you know how, at times it minimizes a guy that plays his position’s ability to impact the game. None of those things slow down that train that we all know what’s coming. And so we’re just appreciative of it.”

Tomlin continued: “Hopefully it’s something that the young guys can learn from. And it’s our job to continue to work to put him in a position where his talents and his will, as well as preparedness, shows.”