The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a hallmark of consistency over the past decade, perennially among the league's best teams under the guidance of head coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. But while the franchise smoothly bridged two generations of talent, it's still existed in the shadow of the New England Patriots, whose ongoing wave of dominance continues to linger like an ominous cloud.
Pittsburgh's progress is defined by how it stacks up to New England, and the team is still reeling from its 36-17 AFC Championship Game loss to the eventual Super Bowl champs in January.
It became apparent on Sunday, however, that the Steelers have added the missing piece to topple the Patriots by selecting a player from one of football's first families in T.J. Watt.
Watt was one of the two best players on the field in Pittsburgh's 21-18 victory over the Cleveland Browns, along with all-world wide receiver Antonio Brown. In his professional debut, Watt racked up a team-high seven tackles, two sacks, and an interception, becoming one of three players to record two sacks and a pick in their debut.
Although most rookies would be thrilled with an opening performance like Watt's, the first-round pick didn't sound remotely satisfied.
"We felt like we were in the backfield all of the time, but we have to finish plays," Watt told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. "We had a few sacks left on the table, from my point of view."
It was the smallest of sample sizes, but it does seem baffling that Watt was available with the 30th overall pick in this summer's draft. Would it be all that shocking if his career replicates that of his older brother, J.J., who's one of two players to win Defensive Player of the Year three times?
Watt's starring performance begets further hope for the Steelers at the best possible time. The vaunted Patriots, preordained by many to win their third Super Bowl in four years this season, were dreadful in Thursday's opener against the Kansas City Chiefs. At 40, Tom Brady finally looked his age, while seldom appearing comfortable in the pocket. Watt will certainly complicate matters if New England and Pittsburgh face off again in this winter's playoffs.
The Steelers already boast a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Roethlisberger, arguably the NFL's best receiver and running back in Brown and Le'Veon Bell, respectively, and a defense that's quickly gelling into a top unit. And while it's still early, the fact that Watt wreaked havoc against a sneaky-good Browns offensive line illustrated that Pittsburgh has the final piece it needs to topple the Patriots en route to Super Bowl LII.
