Mark Madden's Hot Take: Big contract means higher expectations for Steelers' T.J. Watt

Now that T.J. Watt has signed his record-breaking contract, expectations for him must rise.

Watt got star quarterback money. He has got to do star quarterback things.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ record and finish is undeniably tied to Watt just as much as it is Ben Roethlisberger, perhaps more so. If the Steelers miss the playoffs, Watt will have failed.

Watt must go the extra mile. He prefers to sit a series in the fourth quarter by way of getting a final wind. That should stop, especially in games that are up for grabs. If your contract has an average annual value of $28 million-plus, play every down.

Watt’s contract set new highs. So must his play.

The NFL sack record for a season is 22½ sacks. Watt should put that mark in jeopardy every year. He should ultimately break it.

NFL Defensive Player of the Year isn’t a bonus. It’s a requirement. Watt makes more than Aaron Donald. He should do better than Donald.

Watt gets paid more than any other defender in football. He has got to be the best defender in football.

Watt should be all over “SportsCenter.” He should be a one-man highlight reel.

If those things don’t happen, Watt must bear blame and criticism. That especially applies if the Steelers come up short as a team. If Watt can’t impact results to the tune of $28 million-plus per year, then he shouldn’t get $28 million-plus per year.

Heavy lies the head that wears the crown. Watt wears the Steelers’ crown now, not Roethlisberger.

It’s Watt’s team. He absorbs everything that goes with that.