Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt should be considered one of the best pass rushers in the game right now, and one doesn’t have to be a football savant to realize that.
Both the eye test and the numbers confirm that statement, and that’s the primary reason why he’s been a perennial candidate to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
However, outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin believes that was never his biggest strength (Via DK Pittsburgh Sports).
Talking about his star’s development, Martin stated that what came more naturally to him was actually his run defense, stating that it’s something that he’s been doing since he entered the league: Putting his hands on people and making an impact.
As for the pass rush, he kind of ‘stumbled upon’ that, becoming better and better in that aspect of his game as the years went by.
Watt is one of the most disruptive defensive players in the league, and he currently ranks fourth in QB pressures (27) through the first five weeks of the season.
Barring injury, he should once again be on the shortlist for the best defensive player in the league.
The Steelers are far from a flawed team right now, especially on the offensive side of the field.
The team could use a boost to the passing game, and the offensive line isn’t doing Kenny Pickett any favors.
Still, Watt and the defense give them plenty of confidence and make them feel like there’s no deficit that’s big enough not to come back, and it takes a special kind of talent to achieve that.
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