Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt sought to clarify comments NFL commentator Rich Eisen made on his talk show this week that Eisen attributed to Watt from the prior week’s television production meeting.
“It wasn’t attacking anybody. It was a general statement of, as a leader on this team, I feel obligated to show people with my actions how to practice,” Watt said after Thursday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “It was not taking anything away from guys not practicing. So I am not sure how that happened, but it is what it is, and we will move on.”
TI Watt on @richeisen comments from last week’s @nflnetwork production meeting regarding Steelers practice habits pic.twitter.com/V3aoT2kJVz
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 21, 2023
Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, spoke with Eisen in advance of the latter providing play-by-play for this past Saturday’s Steelers loss at the Indianapolis Colts on NFL Network. Eisen relayed his interpretation of what Watt said during a production meeting about the Steelers’ practice habits.
“T.J. Watt said it was ‘wild’ to him that some of the players, upon hearing (coach Mike Tomlin’s messaging in team meetings) don’t respond in a way on (the) field or on a practice field,” Eisen said on his show that is broadcast on radio and television. “He used that word. It’s ‘wild’ that some of them don’t want to practice in the way that everybody is supposed to practice.”
Eisen continued: “T.J. Watt also said that the younger generation takes criticism personally. He didn’t call it a problem. I just inferred it was.”
Watt attempted to elucidate the comments, ones that have taken on extra weight with the Steelers on a three-game losing streak, some openly talking about the possible end to Tomlin’s tenure as coach and leadership/commitment controversies swirling amidst receiver George Pickens and others.
“I mean, I (was) referring to myself as, when I was a young player, just learning how to practice and how to apply yourself on the practice field,” Watt said.
Asked by reporters Thursday if he believed the Steelers’ younger players were holding up his practice standards, Watt said: “It’s not my standard. It’s nothing that I am doing. It’s what set before me. And it’s about continually getting better. If we are satisfied with what we are doing then we are doing something wrong. We need to be continually striving to get better.”
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
