The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ offseason of big-time moves continued ahead of training camp. This time around, the legendary franchise was busy locking up its best player for several years into the future.
As it turns out, though, the massive T.J. Watt extension doesn’t sit perfectly with everyone. Just a day after his FS1 colleague Nick Wright slammed the Steelers for extending Watt, Colin Cowherd chimed in with a negative take as well.
On a July 18 episode of “The Herd With Colin Cowherd,” Cowherd was left scratching his head a bit.
“This goes back to great player deserves the money,” Cowherd said. “I don’t question the player. I question the direction of the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
https://x.com/TheHerd/status/1946252173379051875
Cowherd Skeptical of Steelers’ Defense When It Matters Most
Ironically, much of Cowherd’s point had very little to do with Watt himself. Instead, it was a concern about the Pittsburgh defense. Cowherd doesn’t believe it shows up when it matters the most.
“It’s not the talent of T.J. Watt,” Cowherd said. “It’s how they prioritize defense. Frankly, their defense isn’t even that good! Four straight years, it’s been out of the top 10 in total defense. Let’s talk playoffs, because that’s all that matters in this sport: January. If you go look at the last five playoff games for the Pittsburgh Steelers, they’ve given up 28, 31, 42, 48 and 45. They give up 40 points a game. They’re spending all this money on the wrong side of the ball, and they’re not dominant!”
In fairness to Cowherd, one can’t argue against the defensive struggles of recent Steelers playoff runs. For many franchises, making it to the wild-card round in four of the last five years would be something to feel good about. For Pittsburgh, it’s been a nightmare. 2021 saw them get throttled by the Baker Mayfield-led Cleveland Browns; 2022 featured the same with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs; Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills had a clean game in 2024 and this past postseason saw something similar from Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
Each of those offenses (outside of the Browns) was and still is led by a generational talent at quarterback. That, combined with some offensive ineptitude by Pittsburgh, is always a recipe for disaster. It’s no excuse, however, especially considering how the Steelers’ defense plays in the regular season. If you’re elite until it’s truly time to be elite, what are you?
Pittsburgh Didn’t Have Much of a Choice With T.J. Watt Extension
With that said, it isn’t as if the Steelers really had a choice here. Watt has been a Pro Bowl player in every year dating back to 2018. Not only that, but he’s earned first-team All-Pro honors in four of those seasons and has a Defensive Player of the Year award on his mantle. Coming off an 11.5-sack season with 6 forced fumbles, he remains fantastic even at the age of 30.
Letting Watt go wasn’t ever going to happen. Pittsburgh was never planning on trading him or even entertaining the prospect. That was the case earlier in the offseason and well into the month of July. The organization recognizes his talent.
There’s also the reality of where the team is at. By bringing in star names like Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith, the Steelers are going all-in for 2025. In what should be Rodgers’ final season, they’re attempting to squeeze every last bit of good play out of him. Watt plays on the opposite side of the ball, but the defense wouldn’t be nearly as effective without his presence.
Cowherd can question the move if Pittsburgh crashes and burns. Right now, there was no alternative.
“Don’t hate the player – hate the direction,” Cowherd said. “Hate what they’ve prioritized.”
