STEELERS NEED MORE FROM WATT, FITZPATRICK

Here's an excerpt from one of my recent TribLive.com columns.

[T.J.] Watt never winning a playoff game isn’t insignificant.

He’s 0-3 in the playoffs, with the Steelers’ “elite” defense conceding an average of 45 points in those three games.

Watt isn’t responsible for that. But he’s out there, too.

His stats in those three postseason games are pedestrian: One sack and three tackles for loss. Watt did return a fumble for a touchdown in the Steelers’ 42-21 wild-card round loss to Kansas City in 2022. If only Watt could have done that three or four more times.

If Watt never wins a playoff game, let alone a Super Bowl, will it diminish his career?

Of course, it will.

To read the entire column, click HERE.

The Steelers need more from Watt now, too.

He's had a few spectacular games and spectacular moments.

But Watt had just one tackle in Sunday's 37-15 home win over the New York Jets. He batted down a pass, but otherwise wasn't very impactful.

Watt has 4½ sacks in seven games. Not great.

Watt consumes double teams. He gets held like crazy.

But Watt carries a $30.4 million cap hit. That price dictates that Watt must tangibly influence winning as much as possible every game.

Same goes for Minkah Fitzpatrick and his $21.3 million cap hit.

Fitzpatrick had four tackles Sunday and hasn't been involved in a turnover for 19 games, DeShon Elliott and his $2.25 million cap hit are doing better at the other safety.

But the Steelers are still 5-2.

That's because scoring 37 points means more than playing elite defense.