The Pittsburgh Steelers are known for the intense and spectacular defenders they have had throughout the organization's history. Many are now members of the Pro Football Hall Of Fame, including Troy Polamalu, Joe Greene, and Jack Lambert. A player that is on this same trajectory is TJ Watt, who has been one of the best defenders in the league since being drafted by Pittsburgh in 2017.
Watt is feared by many across the league, and he is one of the best sack artists the NFL has ever seen. His intensity rivals none, and has even been seen sacking the quarterback without a helmet. Watt's former teammate, Kam Canaday, made a recent appearance on the Keep Hammering Collective show. While on the episode, he spoke about his career with the Steelers as a long snapper, and also spoke about some of the players he played with. He was asked about the biggest alphas he played with, and he brought up Watt.
"As far as intensity goes, it doesn't get any more intense than TJ Watt on a Sunday. He turns into a full grown male lion. It's just attack, attack, attack. When you see him, you're like, 'How's this guy dominating,' because he's big and he's strong, but it's his motor and his drive and his heart. He just beats guys down and just when it's time to go, he's still on top of you and you're tired."
Watt wasn't the only Steeler player mentioned, as Canaday also brought up Cam Heyward and James Harrison. Watt's talent can never be questioned, but his motor was recently knocked by another one of his former teammates in Robert Spillane. Spillane's comments were put to bed by those of Canaday, as he spoke highly about Watt's performance and determination.
Canaday was the long snapper for the Steelers for four seasons, from 2017 through 2020. He joined the team the same year that Watt did, and shared that the two were roommates when the team travelled to away games. Canaday was released going into the 2021 season, so he missed Watt's Defensive Player Of The Year campaign in which he tied the league single-season record for sacks.
During the four years in which Canaday and Watt were teammates, Watt made three Pro Bowls, was named an All-Pro twice, and finished in the top three for the DPOY Award. Watt's most productive seasons came after Canaday left Pittsburgh, but Canaday was still able to recognize the special talent of the edge rusher.
Intensity runs in the Watt family, which is obvious when looking back on the career of JJ Watt. JJ was one of the best defenders the NFL has ever seen, and his career has given TJ something to chase and beat.
Steelers' TJ Watt Playing The 2024 Season With A Chip On His Shoulder
Somehow, TJ has won just one DPOY Award in his career. He has been snubbed several times, most notably during the 2023 season when the award went to Myles Garrett. TJ outperformed Garrett in nearly every major statistical category, and there was no clear reason why TJ should not have won the award. TJ wound up skipping the NFL Honors where the award was announced, and it has been something that has seemed to drive him all offseason.
TJ is looking to have a similar season to his remarkable performance from 2023. He helped keep the Steelers in many games, even nearly winning a few games for the team himself. He recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns, intercepted Matthew Stafford in Los Angeles, and had a crucial sack on Lamar Jackson in the closing minutes of a pivotal divisional victory -- all monumental game-changing plays.
TJ is one of the best and most feared game-wreckers in the entire NFL, and Canaday's comments shed some light on why he is so successful.
