TJ Watt shows up for second day of Steelers OTAs

T.J. Watt has arrived at Steelers OTAs after missing the first day of this season’s iteration.

“Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt was on the field Wednesday, participating in the second day of the team’s organized team activities,” wrote Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk. “Photos and videos from practice showed Watt working with teammates.

“He was not present Tuesday for Day 1 of the voluntary work, Chris Adamski of triblive.com reports.”

The unquestioned leader of Pittsburgh’s defense, and perhaps the best defensive player in the entire NFL, many would’ve given Watt a pass if he missed OTAs. It’s not like he’s doing nothing, as he’s been working out on his own in the meantime.

However, it must mean a great deal to Watt to be with his teammates, and the respect he’s going to earn from them is invaluable.

2023 should be another great season for T.J. Watt on the field, and the wheels are in motion now for the Steelers star. He’ll be hoping to ensure Pittsburgh never misses the playoffs again on his watch.

Steelers reach deal for former Cardinals LB Markus Golden

In other news, the Pittsburgh Steelers are signing former Arizona Cardinals veteran Markus Golden to a one-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The linebacker started his career with the Cardinals before spending two seasons with the Giants and joining Arizona again in 2020.

Golden hit the free agency market in March once his deal with the Cardinals ran out. He was playing on a one-year extension worth $6.5 million. The figures on his new deal with Pittsburgh aren’t yet public.

He played all 17 games in 2022, racking up 48 tackles with 2.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss.

In 2021, Golden had another 48 tackles but notched 11 sacks. It was his third season with more than 10 sacks and caused the Cardinals to re-up on him for another season. When the team released him in March, they cleared roughly $3 million in cap space for 2023.

Golden was a second-round draft pick out of Missouri. The Cardinals grabbed him at No. 58 overall in 2015. He repaid them with 16.5 sacks over the next two seasons, as well as six forced fumbles.

The 32-year-old linebacker now joins his third NFL team as he heads into his ninth season.

In 2019, Golden led the Giants with 10 sacks and 11 tackles for loss. He missed significant time in 2017 due to a torn ACL and again in 2018 due to an ankle injury but he’s remained relatively healthy recently. 

The Steelers can definitely use Golden’s help in 2023. This offseason saw the departures of Devin Bush and Robert Spillane via free agency.

On top of the Golden addition, the Steelers have also bolstered the defense via the draft. They drafted talented linebacker Nick Herbig in the fourth round. Pittsburgh also picked up free agents Elandon Roberts and Cole Holcomb.