Steelers Rumors: Pittsburgh trade candidate, NFL fines T.J. Watt, Cousins buzz
- Steelers' Mason Rudolph named as deadline trade candidate
- NFL fines T.J. Watt for infractions vs. Ravens
- Bold Steelers-Kirk Cousins trade statement
Steelers Rumors: T.J. Watt fined $25K for violations vs. Ravens
The Steelers pulled off their best win of the young season last Sunday in a stunning 17-10 comeback victory over the Baltimore Ravens. The game ended on a Lamar Jackson fumble, which Steelers superstar T.J. Watt scooped up to seal the deal.
Watt played through a gnarly finger injury to deliver two tackles and two sacks, along with the fumble recovery. It was a game to celebrate for Watt and the Steelers, but it came with repercussions. The league fined Watt roughly $25K for two violations of league rules — unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness.
The NFL fined #Steelers star T.J. Watt $25,132 for unsportsmanlike conduct — removing his helmet after a game-sealing sack of Lamar Jackson — and unnecessary roughness for a hit on Zay Flowers in last week’s win over the #Ravens. pic.twitter.com/41FfqtCnll
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 14, 2023
Watt's pockets will be hurting, but only so much. He's due $29.3 million this season, so it's a drop in the bucket. If Watt could do it all over, he would probably take his helmet off again.
T.J. Watt was also fined $13,659 for Unsportsmanlike Conduct for taking his helmet off after the late sack of Lamar Jackson #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/RRTekZGMZC
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) October 14, 2023
The Flowers hit is less defensible, obviously, but there's no reason to believe Watt's intentions were malicious. Football is a dangerous sport and dangerous plays happen.
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: #Steelers OLB T.J. Watt was fined $11,473 for hitting #Ravens WR Zay Flowers in the mouth on this play. pic.twitter.com/UZoV6Mm0f4
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 14, 2023
Watt and the Steelers are on a buy in Week 6, so Watt has time to rest his mangled hand and get his finances in order. Pittsburgh returns next Sunday, Oct. 22, for a road battle with the Los Angeles Rams. That should be a thrilling battle of mediocre teams with diametrically opposed strengths.