“Need to stoke the fire”: TJ Watt defends training camp bust-up between Steelers teammates
Pittsburgh Steelers star pass rusher TJ Watt has opened up on the fight during practice. The Steelers are in the midst of training camp and on Wednesday, a brawl started.
Quarterback Justin Fields took a shot from Elandon Roberts at the end of one play and the offensive line was not happy with the hit. Roberts said the offensive linemen did what they were supposed to do, while Watt was happy to see the intensity of the practice.
“As long as there is good meaning behind it,” Watt said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Sometimes you need to stoke the fire to see what we are about as a team. That is all today was about. We don’t want it to continue and mess up practice.”
Although TJ Watt thought the fight showed the team was hungry and eager to get better, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin wasn't thrilled by it.
"We got a little bit less than professional and chippy today," Tomlin said. "It's an opportunity to teach and learn as part of this process. As much as we hate it, we'll learn and grow from that."
Fights during training camp and practice are nothing new, as sometimes the intensity gets too much, which is what happened to the Steelers on Wednesday.
TJ Watt focused on playoff success for Steelers
TJ Watt is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, but the Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had success with him. Pittsburgh made the playoffs last season but was blown out by the Buffalo Bills. Entering 2024, Watt says he's focused on getting playoff wins for the Steelers.
“For me, it is all about no playoff wins,” Watt said to The Athletic. “I am trying to do anything I can do. We have so much turnover year to year and so many new guys that it is trying to learn as much as possible coming from guys from other organizations that have done it and won championships since being in the league.
“I am going to do whatever is possible to win. It is about not taking any day for granted, and when it comes down to executing and working, putting everything aside and getting it done.”
Watt recorded 19 sacks in 17 games last season, as the star pass rusher has 96.5 sacks in 104 games. Watt was drafted 30th overall in the 2017 NFL draft by the Steelers.