T.J. Watt Faces Packers for First Time on October 26

Milwaukee, WI – When the Pittsburgh Steelers take on the Green Bay Packers on October 26, all eyes will be on T.J. Watt, who will face the team he nearly joined in the 2017 draft. Watt is a Pewaukee native and is considered one of the best defensive players in the league.

At 31 years old, Watt boasts a staggering $123 million contract, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. He has made the Pro Bowl for the past seven seasons and has consistently ranked among the top contenders for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, with one award to his name. So far this season, he has recorded four sacks, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one interception.

Despite his impressive resume, questions have arisen regarding Watt’s recent performance. After Pittsburgh’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, where the team lost 33-31, former player LeSean McCoy criticized Watt, saying, “Did he play today? You got a 40-year-old quarterback in the backfield that can’t move, and I see no pressure.”

The Packers have struggled against Watt in their past matchups, allowing him to accumulate four sacks over three games. The Packers famously bypassed drafting Watt in 2017, opting to trade away their first-round pick.

Another former University of Wisconsin player, Nick Herbig, has impressed Steelers fans with his rising performance. At just 23 years old, he made a notable impact against the Cleveland Browns, recording two sacks and four quarterback hits. This season, he has 4.5 sacks, setting a career high in tackles for loss.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has been cautious with Herbig’s usage, despite criticism from fans and analysts who feel he should be on the field more, especially following Watt’s recent struggles. Meanwhile, Keeanu Benton, another UW alum, has been a consistent presence on the defensive line, starting all six games this year and tallying a career-high 2.5 sacks.