TJ Watt's Sideline Frustration Boils Over in Steelers Loss
The Steelers star pass rusher was seen taking a coach's headset to speak directly with the defensive coordinator during a tough first half.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker TJ Watt expressed his frustration during the team's 27-24 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football by snatching a headset and speaking directly with the defensive coordinator.
The Steelers struggled in the first half, falling behind 21-10 by halftime as the Browns' offense, led by Deshaun Watson, put up 21 points in the second quarter. This defensive struggle appeared to ignite a heated moment on the sideline where Watt, a key defensive leader, took a headset to communicate with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
"It's frustration," former NFL player Richard Sherman commented on the broadcast. "Any time, you can see the defensive linemen talking to a DB, that's not a good conversation."
Tony Gonzalez, a Hall of Fame tight end, added, "Any time you have their superstars on both sides of the ball yelling at their coordinators, that is not a good thing. That tells me there is some heavy frustration on there, maybe some overestimation. Maybe they thought it was going to come out here and be a cake walk."
Despite the first-half struggles, the Steelers defense improved in the second half. Watt himself recorded a sack and a fumble recovery. However, the Browns managed to drive into field goal range late in the game to secure the win.
After the game, Watt acknowledged the team's defensive shortcomings. "I mean, even at the end of the game there, it's just way too easy getting down the field there, getting them in range," Watt said, according to Steeler Nation. "Just got to look at everything and move forward."
He added, "Clearly it worked for them. Obviously, there's going to be situations where we feel like we would want back or we could have done better. That's what we'll get in the lab about and watch the film. Have to get better and get better quick. You just can't have them move the ball that easily. You just can't."
Watt was not the only Steelers veteran to show visible frustration. Defensive captain Cameron Heyward was also seen using expletives on the sideline. The Steelers have now lost two consecutive games, giving up 27 points in each, and will look to regroup before hosting the Indianapolis Colts next Sunday.
