JJ Watt makes feelings known on Steelers' season collapse as TJ Watt prepares for contract year

After TJ Watt was held without a sack in the NFL wild-card round on Saturday, brother and defensive legend JJ Watt chimed in on the situation. Watt reflected on the disappointing end to the Pittsburgh Steelers 2024/2025 campaign.

They lost their last four regular season games before being dominated 28-14 by division rivals Baltimore Ravens in the wild-card game. The elder Watt shared his thoughts on Wednesday's episode of "The Pat McAfee Show."

"I don't think there's any denying what happened at the end of the season, when you lose five in a row while your direct division opponent goes on and wins five in a row and is headed, looking like an absolute wagon, head into the next round of the playoffs," Watt said.

"And a very, very tough, tough scene the other night, obviously, I mean, the defense, giving up that many yards. The offense has not really been able to move the ball. It's a tough situation, man."

JJ retired in 2022 after 12 seasons, including 10 with the Houston Texans. He is a studio analyst on "The NFL Today" crew and regularly joins McAfee's show as a guest.

Former Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt was quiet all game, getting shut out of the stat sheet for only the second time in his career. Primarily guarded by rookie right tackle Roger Rosengarten, Watt could not find his way to quarterback Lamar Jackson.

TJ Watt wants to stick with the Steelers despite playoff loss

JJ Watt also explained that TJ Watt has only one year left on his current contract. He added that "he'd be a free agent after this coming season. True free agency."

The elder brother also added that he doesn't know many people who accomplished who would be going into their contract year. Co-host Tone Digs jumped in to say that TJ will be a Steeler for life and will pay "as much as he wants."

Despite the contract situation, TJ expressed his desire to stay with the Steelers. He spoke with reporters in the locker room following the loss last weekend.

“I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. You guys know that. I don’t want to leave this place. I want to be part of the solution.”

TJ has 108 sacks in eight seasons with the Steelers after being drafted with the No. 30 pick in the 2017 NFL draft.