Exclusive Interview with T.J. Watt | 1-on-1 | Pittsburgh Steelers

Exclusive Interview with T.J. Watt | 1-on-1 | Pittsburgh Steelers

TJ, how did you spend the off season trying to stay busy, waiting for your deal to come to fruition? Changing diapers, honestly. Uh, spending as much time as I could with, uh, Danny and Blakeley. Um it really wasn’t that difficult honestly to um put football on the back for the first half of the offseason just focus on my family. How were you able to then um start the process of getting ready not knowing what was going to happen and then not that you could ignore it seeing all the crazy moves and different things that were happening in terms of adding to this roster. I mean I’m constantly training so I’m never worried about how I’m going to perform once I’m here. Um once I’m able to play with the team and get back in the swing of things. Um, so that wasn’t an issue. I think more than anything it was just not paying attention to everything everybody was writing about and tweeting about. Um, just because 90% of the time it’s completely false anyways. That’s one of the biggest things I’ve learned throughout this process. But just trusting that a deal was going to get done and just being overjoyed when a deal did get done. Is it weird or are you used to looking around when you guys are out here on the field and seeing so many new faces and guys who have done a lot of stuff in the league? Yeah, I mean every year that goes by, it seems like we have so much turnover. It’s not like, you know, my first couple years when you have your rookie class still intact. Um, but we do have big big name guys out there. But more than anything, the bigname guys that we do have, just getting to know them, DK, Jaylen, Darius Slay, Aaron, they all want to win and they football is important to them. Um, and it’s more about the process than just playing in games and it’s been really fun getting to know them. DK had said that he thinks you are the best defense he’s ever seen. Is that pressure? Is that a compliment? Is that DK trying to get on your good side for your unit cuz I I know Cam said you guys ri him a little bit. Yeah, I mean there’s been good banter throughout training camp so far and it’s still early. We have all the pieces to make a great defense. Is there anything off the field that tells you that you have that feeling as well, not just what you guys are able to do on the field together? We’ve been hanging out a lot. Um whether it’s game night in Cam’s room, um there’s always at least 8 to 10 people in there. We were just playing NHL 2v2. Me and Herb just kicked the crap out of Cam and Alex before we came over here. And uh home run derby is always fun. Uh it’s been a good bonding experience. Some of the younger guys on defense, is anybody really standing out you’re pleasantly surprised with? I mean, Payton looks incredible. Uh second year around, it’s fast. They always talk about that jump from year one to year two. very physical, becoming more vocal in our room. I think Deharmm looks really good uh for a young rookie. I think Sawyer looks good, too. Um just guys that are football guys and they’re asking the right questions. They want to succeed. They want to know how they can continue to improve and get better. Um so, it’s been refreshing. I know Arthur Smith has admitted that he likes to go after you guys at practice. He talks a lot. So, does he trash talk you guys more or does Aaron Rogers trash talk the defense more? Uh Aaron trash talks more, I’d say, but uh Art trash talks too. But if you start to beat him a couple times, he kind of goes away a little quicker than Aaron does. Um, but it’s it’s been good banter. How is that helping you with Aaron on that side of the ball in terms of what this defense is doing to get better? It’s huge. Um, from snap count things, uh, to pre- snap communications to holding your disguises to the no look passes. Um, it’s a challenge each and every day and, uh, I think it’s the ultimate iron sharpens iron concept. How does Jack Sawyer fit into the group that you guys have at outside linebacker? Sawyer as a person and player. Yeah, Sawyer the we call him fivear. He’s a fivestar recruit. Um the the golden child out of Ohio. Uh he he’s been great. He really has been. Uh he’s a big guy. Um isn’t afraid to go go in and hit people, but also has some good finesse moves, some pass rush moves, and uh he’s been a good rookie so far, but it’s it’s still too early to say. Have you told Aaron Rogers that you were also a really good quarterback in the state of Wisconsin? I haven’t yet. We We’ll have that conversation at some point. I’d like I’d like to hear if he thinks I could do it at the high school level right now. I’m going to win a state champion. I think it has to be in Texas is what he estimated in Texas. Yeah. It’s a disrespect to Wisconsin football. But yeah. Could Jack Sawyer, who also had to play quarterback in high school, enter the conversation. I need to see some clips. I need to see some clips before a fivear. Yeah, I need to see some close to five star. And lastly for you, um, what has changed becoming a dad in terms of being a football player? I think it’s just the ultimate perspective change. I think for a long time I thought I was literally meant to play football and uh go about my life and now it’s like it’s much more than that. It’s almost seems silly that I even thought that. Um, but it’s allowed me to separate football and when I’m home a lot better. Um, I’m able to be more present when I’m here. I’m able to be more present when I’m home. Um, and more than anything, it gives me more motivation um, to want to show my daughter how when you put your mind to something, you can accomplish anything. Perfect. Thanks, DJ. Thank you.

Missi Matthews catches up with T.J. Watt on his contract, new teammates and being a father

#HereWeGo #Steelers #NFL

Like our content? Want more? Be sure to subscribe to the Pittsburgh Steelers YT Channel: https://goo.gl/nAd4J2

Want more Steelers content? Head over to http://www.steelers.com/ or if you want your #Steelers content to-go, download the official Pittsburgh Steelers mobile app: https://www.steelers.com/fans/official-steelers-mobile-app/
To get the latest Steelers content, news and analysis be sure to follow us on social media!
Follow us on X: https://x.com/steelers/
Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steelers/
Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steelers/
Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@steelers
Download Steelers podcasts: https://www.steelers.com/audio/podcast/