Crazy stat proves Steelers pass rush would be unstoppable with J.J. Watt

One stat proves the Steelers may be unstoppable up front on defense if they can sign J.J. Watt this offseason.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are trying to improve the roster this offseason while simultaneously figuring out how to make it work under the salary cap.

But fans are allowed to dream and one exciting scenario is the idea of the team signing J.J. Watt to go all-in for a Super Bowl in what should be Ben Roethlisberger’s final season. That would pair J.J. with his brother T.J. to create one of the most dominant defensive duos in the NFL.

The Watt brothers can wreak havoc in Pittsburgh

There is a narrative out there that J.J. cannot stay healthy. But he did just appear in all 16 games for the Houston Texans in 2020 and has done the same in seven of his 10 career seasons.

The Pro Football Focus stat tells the story. Watt is a force when he is on the field and his brother is right there with him in terms of talent. So could the two be teammates in 2021?

The Steelers are currently projected to be well over $20 million in the red after the retirements of Vance McDonald and Maurkice Pouncey. T.J. is also due what should be a record-setting extension beginning during the 2022 season.

Some surprise cuts will need to be made and Roethlisberger’s money, assuming he doesn’t retire, will need to be restructured to even dream of the Watts combining forces along the Steelers defensive front.

But if the money is there the team has the easiest pitch for the veteran. Both his brothers are Steelers and playing together for even one season should be a dream come true.

The defensive Watt brothers combined for 20 sacks in 2020 and could easily get 30 or more as a duo because teams won’t know who to double-team. It is a lose-lose by focusing on either of the two.

Fans know both J.J. and T.J. Watt are elite talents. Now fans in Pittsburgh will be hoping the front office can take advantage of the Texans’ dysfunction to complete the Watt trifecta in 2021. That would certainly change the narrative of the Steelers no longer being the top dog in the AFC North.