On a day in which T.J. Watt again sat out team drills at practice, an announcement of the Pittsburgh Steelers captains for this season had their most decorated defensive player conspicuously absent.

That didn’t mean it was devoid of a Watt.

After serving as a defensive co-captain in 2020, T.J. Watt was not designated as one this year. Older brother Derek Watt, though, is captain of the special teams unit.

As has been the case for every season since 2015, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward will serve as captains on offense and defense, respectively. Each will serve on his own, though. Many years, the Steelers have had multiple captains for the offense, defense or special teams. This season, there are only three captains.

Center Maurkice Pouncey retired in January after being an offensive co-captain with Roethlisberger for the fourth time in 2020. Heyward and T.J. Watt shared the duties last season, but Heyward, for the fourth time, will serve as a solo defensive captain.

Derek Watt takes over the special teams captaincy from Jordan Dangerfield, who was not retained after spending most of the past seven seasons with the Steelers.

The 39-year-old Roethlisberger is a co-captain on offense for the 13th time over the past 14 seasons. This is only the fifth time he’s held that role on his own.

Under coach Mike Tomlin, captains typically have been determined via player voting.

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