Steelers Throwback Thursday: Watt welcomes Wilson to Pittsburgh

Steel City Underground takes fans back in time to feature events, special moments, and historical times and players in the world of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Steelers Nation. Join us as we revisit these moments in our “Steelers Throwback Thursday” series.

During the off-season, it’s fun to revisit Pittsburgh Steelers memories while preparing for free agency frenzy and rapidly approaching NFL Draft selection days. This week, after the Steelers came to an agreement with former Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson on a one-year deal, it seemed a great time to welcome the “new guy” with a look back at his welcome to Pittsburgh moment with linebacker T.J. Watt in Week 2 of the 2019 NFL regular season.

After the Steelers beat the Seahawks in Super Bowl XL (February 5, 2006), a bit of rivalry had brewed between the two teams that rarely met each other due to Seattle’s move to the NFC (ahead of the 2002 season). In fact, the two teams have gone head-to-head during the regular season just six times since their appearance at Ford Field for the big game.

In Week 2, of the 2019 regular season, Watt (selected in the 2017 NFL Draft), who had yet to get after Wilson for a sack attempt, got his chance as Pittsburgh hosted Seattle. The series record between the two teams since their Super Bowl matchup was 2-1 in Pittsburgh’s favor headed into the game.

Defensively, the Steelers looked primed for a big game. They held Wilson and company out of the end zone during the entirety of the first quarter.

On 3rd and 8 in Seattle’s first offensive series, Watt introduced himself with a finesse move on the right tackle and tattooed Wilson for a loss of eight yards that forced Michael Dickson to punt the ball away for the first of four he’d kick in the game.

The Steelers entered the tunnel for the halftime break ahead, 10-7. Unfortunately, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger – who’d struggled to make completions in the first half – would not return due to an arm injury; that injury turned out to be a torn flexor tendon in his throwing arm.

Mason Rudolph entered the game in the third quarter and tried to keep the Steelers offense in tempo as Wilson found a way to kickstart Seattle’s offense and do his best to avoid the pressure Watt continued to bring in order to outscore Pittsburgh, 14-0.

The Steelers outscored the Seahawks, 13-7, in the final quarter. They ultimately came up just short in the game, losing by just two points (28-26). That set the series at 2-2 between the two teams.

Now, Watt and Wilson are teammates and veterans who look forward to working together for a successful 2024 NFL season in the black and gold.