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Mark Madden: Signing J.J. Watt wouldn’t make sense for Steelers

Mark Madden
By Mark Madden
3 Min Read Feb. 17, 2021 | 5 years Ago
| Wednesday, February 17, 2021 9:42 a.m.
AP
In this Dec. 27, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Houston.

Besides selling “Wattsburgh” T-shirts and seeing all three Watt brothers pose for really cool photos together in black and gold, there isn’t one good reason for the Steelers to sign free-agent defensive end J.J. Watt. It’s the talk of Twitter and radio shows but makes zero sense.

The Steelers have two top-caliber defensive ends: Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt.

If nose tackle Tyson Alualu leaves via free agency, the Steelers could move Heyward or Tuitt to that position. But given their performance and years of service in Pittsburgh (Heyward 10 seasons, Tuitt seven), that would be impractical and disrespectful.

Tuitt had 11 sacks last year, Watt five and Heyward four. Watt is a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, but not since 2015.

Is Watt currently better than Heyward or Tuitt? That’s debatable.

Watt is injury-prone and has played just 60% of Houston’s games over his past five seasons. He is still a good player but, at 31, is past his prime.

The Steelers can’t afford Watt given their cap restrictions. Not unless you buy that fanciful nonsense about Watt taking a lot less so he can play with his brothers. What a crock.

If Watt wants a big payday, Pittsburgh isn’t the place. Why would he take less money than his resume dictates, or play in a rotation that gives him less playing time? Why would Heyward or Tuitt accept the latter? (In subpackages, the Steelers employ just two down linemen.)

If Watt wants a legit shot at a Super Bowl ring, Pittsburgh isn’t the place. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016 and lost five of six to end this past season.

Watt and the Steelers don’t add up at any level. Cleveland is a better fit.

If you think the Steelers should sign Watt, you’re collecting football cards, not building a team.

The Steelers have a lot more pressing needs than an extra defensive end.

Bud Dupree and JuJu Smith-Schuster will leave via free agency. Alualu, Matt Feiler, Mike Hilton, Cameron Sutton and Alejandro Villanueva could do the same. Vince Williams and one of the starting cornerbacks figure to be cap casualties. Maurkice Pouncey and Vance McDonald retired.

The offensive line is in shambles. The defense could lose six regulars. How does finagling a role for Watt make sense? Uh, besides the “Wattsburgh” T-shirts. Why not make mom and dad assistant coaches? They have as much NFL coaching experience as some recent hires.

If it’s a matter of keeping T.J. Watt happy so he signs a long-term deal, that’s not necessary. The Steelers picked up T.J.’s fifth-year option for 2021. If necessary, T.J. can be franchised for the two years after that. He’s stuck in Pittsburgh for at least three more seasons. Anyway, is T.J. really so fragile that he needs to be placated thusly?

The Steelers seem to think so. They signed the “other” Watt brother, fullback Derek, to a three-year deal worth $9.75 million before last year, then barely used him besides special teams. Besides family ties, that expenditure lacked logic.

Take the money potentially spent on J.J. Watt and use it to get a center or inside linebacker or tackle.

It looks like Chuks Okorafor and Zach Banner will be the starting tackles in 2021. Banner says “Coach (Tomlin) looked at me and said, ‘You are my answer f0r 2021.’ ”

Banner is 27 and has started only two NFL games. He got cut by the 0-16 Cleveland Browns after the 2017 season. If he’s the answer, do we really want to know what the question is?


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