T.J. Watt has been one of the NFL's most dominant defensive forces since the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with the No. 30 overall pick in the 2017 draft.
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But for all the sacks, awards, and highlight-reel plays, there's one thing he hasn't done — and that would be to win an NFL playoff game.
"I think that's absolutely unacceptable," Watt said in an upcoming appearance on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, via Pro Football Talk. "That is what's attached to my name right now, and I have to answer for that."
Watt didn't arrive to a crumbling franchise. Quite the opposite. The Steelers were a perennial contender and had just won a playoff game in January 2017 — the last time they've done so.
Since then? Nothing. Pittsburgh has made the postseason several times, but each trip ended quickly. Watt has been there for all of it.
"It genuinely bothers me," he said. "Because I'm a part of those teams. As much as I'm only one player... you are putting your hand in the pile too. I feel like I can make a difference enough to help win a playoff game. And to have that to your legacy, especially when you play for an organization that has six Super Bowls... It's like, 'T.J. Watt: yeah, great individual player. But what's the team success?' And that's what really bothers me."
Watt said winning a playoff game, and a Super Bowl, remains a major motivator. And it seems the Steelers are trying to load up around him to make it happen.
Pittsburgh has made bold moves this offseason, adding future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, veteran receiver DK Metcalf, star corner Jalen Ramsey, and more.
It's a full-on push to end the longest playoff win drought in the franchise's storied history, now eight years and counting. The last time it took this long was before the NFL dynasty began in 1972.
Watt has done his part. Now he wants more.
"I'm trying to be the best I can be," he said. "And I want the team success to come with it."
