Steelers' TJ Watt Gives Interesting Update Entering 2024 Season: 'I Feel Old'

The Pittsburgh Steelers started Organized Team Activities (OTAs), and there are a lot of new faces in the crowd. This isn't surprising; every season, teams experience turnover as players retire or move on to new opportunities. In their place, new players are drafted or acquired through free agency and trades. 

All of these new faces have veteran TJ Watt feeling every bit of his 29 years. In fact, he told Teresa Varley, from the team's official website, that knowing these guys were in high school when he started his career has him feeling more senior than he would like. 

"I feel old. This is the first time in my career that I've started to feel old. This is my eighth year and I'm one of the only guys that's been around a long time, so that's the only difference. But this is the best job in the world. It still is. It's so much fun. And we're just flying around and having so much fun out there, and I expect that to continue throughout the offseason," Watt said.

Entering his eight seasons, Watt is one of the longest-tenured Steelers on the team. Along with his fellow defender, Cameron Heyward, who is entering his 14th season, and kicker Chris Boswell, who is entering his 10th season, Watt is one of the few players who has spent the majority of their long career in Pittsburgh. 

Having been around the block a time or two does not diminish Watt's excitement regarding being back on the field. Instead, he told Varley he is appreciative of the fresh, new faces and how they boost the energy out of the field.

"It feels great to be back at this. It seems like the longer I'm in this, the more and more new faces on the roster, the coaching staff and the weight room staff. A lot of exciting things are happening right now, and I'm just happy to be a part of it and get some good work in."

Watt also told Varley that the young players help to keep him a bit grounded and said they provide a "reality check" that he won't be able to do this forever. It reminds him to make every day and year count. He said he wants to do everything he can to be a part of a team that brings a championship back to Pittsburgh. 

That all starts with team bonding and teaching the new players the "Steelers Way." Watt said that camaraderie is key. They have to bond as a unit and teach them all that they can while also picking their brains for anything the vets can learn from them. The key to winning a Lombardi is to grow together, and that all starts long before the regular season kicks off. 

Steelers' Appreciation Comes Full Circle

One of the splashiest moves of the early offseason was the acquisition of linebacker Patrick Queen from AFC North rival, the Baltimore Ravens. Watt also told Varley that he doesn't think Queen will have any issue adapting to the Steelers' defensive style. 

Watt credits Queen with incredible speed, allowing him to catch opposing offenses off guard. Not only is Watt thrilled about what Queen brings to the defense, but he is also interested in what he can learn from him to improve his own game. 

Just as Watt praised Queen, Queen had much to say about rookie linebacker Payton Wilson. Queen told the media that he expects great things from Wilson. He sees all the physical attributes you want in a player and notes his football smarts and toughness. Calling him someone you want on your side. 

How many more years do you think the Steelers will have Watt? Do you think they can win a Super Bowl by then? What is the missing link keeping them from a championship? Is the team moving in the right direction? Click to