Ryan Shazier Praises Steelers' TJ Watt For Unrivaled Effort: 'This Guy Is Really The Best Player In The NFL'

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected TJ Watt with their first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, hoping to get at least some version of what the Houston Texans found in JJ Watt. While TJ Watt is still catching up to his older brother in terms of awards, there is no doubt that the Steelers have one of the best players in the NFL on their defense. Ryan Shazier was there when Watt joined the team as a rookie, but even then, there was something different about the edge rusher.

Watt may have been snubbed for the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, but Shazier sees Watt as a dominant defender across the board. Shazier was on the North Shore Drive Podcast Wednesday with Christopher Carter, and the former Steelers linebacker couldn't say enough incredible things about Watt. It isn't only the amazing talent that Watt brings to the game, it's the effort and all the work behind the scenes that determines the great players in the league, and Shazier saw this one coming.

"So, the one thing about TJ when he first came, I remember one of my good friends - he went to Wisconsin with him as well - was like, 'Man, TJ's gonna come there and do [an] amazing job, he's gonna be great. Watch.' And I was like, 'Man, are you sure?' He was like, 'Watch, like TJ's gonna be, like, a dog.' And... when I first seen him [Watt], I was like, 'Man, this is crazy,' because the one thing about TJ that you really learn is that he's somebody who's gonna work his tail off every single day. He's somebody that's not gonna let anybody outwork him, he's gonna hustle really -- for every play, and he's gonna make every -- he makes every play count. He makes sure that he doesn't take anything for granted, and those guys who don't take anything for granted and let every single play count and put in the extra effort every single day, those are the ones that become great." 

Shazier continued with his thoughts.

So, it's not -- to me, it's not surprising that TJ is great. The thing is -- and it's also not surprising that he's winning awards. The thing is, it's just crazy, because... you knew, like, this guy had the talent, but now you're actually seeing it come to fruition, and it's like, 'Man, this guy is really the best player in the NFL, on the defensive side of the ball'... I don't think there's a defensive player in the league that's better than him."

Watt is closing in on 100 career sacks (96.5), and whenever he is on the field, the Steelers know that he can change the course of a game at any time. While Watt has accolades, statistics, records, and commands Pittsburgh's defense, he has yet to win a single playoff game in his illustrious career. Ahead of their 2024 campaign, the Steelers are eager to remedy that situation and not only give Watt a postseason victory, but a deep playoff run to get the franchise back to competing for championships.

Steelers Giving Watt A Better Chance In 2024

Pittsburgh's 2023 season was filled with frustration and offensive struggles, not to mention a slew of defensive injuries. Despite all these obstacles, the Steelers - led by Watt and their defense - crawled to a 10-win season and a Wild Card berth. Watt was again unable to win in the playoffs, but if the Steelers were able to accomplish that in a campaign defined by struggle, 2024 should be a much smoother ride.

Rather than hoping for anything more out of Kenny Pickett, the Steelers have Russell Wilson and Justin Fields at quarterback now. Wilson will be the starter heading into camp, but either of those passers offers an immediate upgrade to a quarterback room that has been severely lacking since Ben Roethlisberger retired. With Watt and a retooled roster, all Wilson needs to do is avoid mistakes, and the Steelers should see a significant leap forward.

It isn't only about giving Watt the playoff success he so richly deserves; it's about bringing the standard back to the lofty heights it should be at. Non-losing seasons are impressive and prove how consistent Mike Tomlin is at the helm for the Steelers, but it is far from enough. With the right tools in 2024, the Steelers should be fully prepared to take some significant steps forward and feel what it is like to contend again.