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Brett Keisel, fans coax J.J. Watt to Steelers so he can join his brothers | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

Brett Keisel, fans coax J.J. Watt to Steelers so he can join his brothers

Tim Benz
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AP
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Houston.

On Tuesday, word leaked that the Steelers are set to sign former Los Angeles Chargers fullback Derek Watt.

He is the older brother of Steelers Pro Bowl linebacker T.J. Watt and the younger brother of Houston Texans star defensive lineman J.J. Watt.

Most fullbacks don’t exactly get a ton of snaps outside of pure running situations and on special teams. Meanwhile T.J. and J.J. are renowned as two of the best defensive players in the league.

But T.J. is still on his rookie contract. So, despite his All-Pro status, he’ll only make $1.72 million in 2020. Derek is going to make an average of $3.25 million over his three-year deal.

This fact was not ignored by his younger brother.

Derek seems to be aware that T.J. will be getting a mega-contract very soon.

That’s plenty of Subway subs to go around.

As for J.J., he was quick to tweet out his congratulations.

Perhaps hoping to capitalize on J.J Watt’s sense of family — and apparent sense of being left out — former Steelers defensive lineman Brett Keisel reached out on Twitter to woo him to Pittsburgh as well.

Keisel went so far as to bribe J.J. with his sacred #99.

J.J. knew exactly where to go with that offer.

Henry Mondeaux — the current No.99 — may be a little upset to learn about this negotiation. He was signed to a reserve/future contract after the 2019 season ended.

Although he has also worn #72 and #92 since he got to Pittsburgh. So maybe he is not married to it. And my guess is that J.J. Watt may have slightly…. slightly… more clout than Mondeaux if he really wanted the legacy of ‘Da Beard.

Of course, there is the small matter of J.J. Watt still being under contract with the Texans through the end of 2021.

But when it comes to the recent track record of Houston general manager/head coach Bill O’Brien making trades, he may deal J.J to the Steelers straight up for Mondeaux and a round trip ticket on the Duquesne Incline.

Pro Football Talk offered this idea.

Pfft! Kevin Colbert won’t go that far. How ‘bout the George Washington statue that stands next to him instead?

George isn’t quite as important historically. But I bet O’Brien will still bite.

So don’t give up hope, Steelers fans! Maybe all three brothers will wind up in Black and Gold after all.

Eh, I’m just teasing. I’m sure Steelers fans understand that J.J. was just kidding and trying to be funn….

Never mind. I should’ve known better.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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