Steelers LB T.J. Watt addresses retirement timeline
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt.
Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt will turn 30 during the 2024 season, which is why he decided to reflect on his seven-year NFL career.
Watt has put together a Hall of Fame caliber career since entering the league as a first-round pick (No. 30) in 2017, registering 401 tackles, 96.5 sacks, 27 forced fumbles and seven interceptions and tying Michael Strahan's single-season sack record (22.5).
However, there is one thing that he hasn't accomplished that he must before hanging up his cleats: Winning a playoff game.
"For me, it is all about no playoff wins," Watt said, via Mark Kaboly of 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."
The six-time Pro Bowler and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has accomplished a lot through the first seven years of his career, but he has unfortunately been a part of the franchise's longest playoff win drought.
Pittsburgh has not won a postseason game since the 2016 season and Watt hopes to finally end that this year.
"I am going to do whatever is possible to win," Watt added. "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 has yet to show any signs of slowing down, but his older brother J.J. Watt was 33 when he retired at the end of the 2022 season. That isn't out of the question for Watt.
"I don't know if I want to play forever, but who knows? It is too hard to say," Watt said. "J.J. always said he didn't want to play super long, then things happened and he ended up playing longer. I won't know until that moment comes. I feel great right now, so I am kind of just living in the moment."
Watt could very well play past 33, but nothing is guaranteed in the NFL. That is why he is solely focused on this season and winning with his team when it matters.
"I don't have forever to play," Watt said. "I have always approached the game as right now, and I have never taken it for granted, and that hasn't changed at all."
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