When T.J. Watt first entered the NFL as a first-round pick out of Wisconsin, he joined a veteran defense with the Pittsburgh Steelers that featured names like James Harrison, Cameron Heyward, Mike Mitchell, Vince Williams, Ryan Shazier and Stephon Tuitt.
Getting that chance to learn from veterans on a day-to-day basis helped him see what it truly took to not only be an NFL player but see what it meant and what it took to be a Steeler.
Now, in his seventh season, he’s become that mentor and lead-by-example player for rookies like Nick Herbig, Keeanu Benton and Joey Porter Jr.
That role is something he is embracing. Appearing on the “This Is Football” podcast Wednesday with host Kevin Clark, Watt stated that he would be hurting his team if he didn’t try and pass on everything he knows to younger pieces, and that he’s fully embraced the mentor role as the veteran leader on defense.
“We look out for each other. We don’t do all the hazing. We don’t keep secrets from our young guys. Everybody is comfortable in their role,” Watt said to Clark regarding his role as a mentor on the Steelers’ defense, according to video via the NFL on ESPN YouTube page. “If I’m not trying to help out a young Nick Herbig or a young Keeanu Benton when he comes in the building, or Joey Porter, I’m only hindering my team. So, I’m trying to give them as much information as possible so that they can get on board as quickly as possible and help us win football games.”
Though he’s still at the height of his powers as a star NFL pass rusher, Watt has taken on more of a leadership and mentorship role in recent seasons, especially this season as the Steelers have brought in a number of young pieces defensively, including Herbig, Benton and Porter.
With the Wisconsin connection to Herbig and Benton, Watt has taken those two under his wing — especially Herbig — helping the two hit the ground running, giving Pittsburgh some solid depth along the defensive front while helping the rookies adjust to the NFL rather quickly.
Though it’s a newer role for Watt, who is typically the lead-by-example, quiet, hard-working, no-nonsense guy, he’s as team-first as they come. He knows the importance of sharing secrets with his teammates and getting them in the best possible position to help the Steelers achieve their ultimate goal: winning football games.
So far, it seems to be working. Herbig recorded his first sack Sunday in the win over the Los Angeles Rams while on the field opposite of Watt, while Benton has been a force early on, recording his first career sack in Week Three against the Las Vegas Raiders and then generating three pressures against the Rams.
That’s great for the Steelers defensively and will only make them harder to deal with moving forward as the depth continues to develop.
