Former Steelers QB predicts one major condition that keeps T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh

USA Today

4 hours ago

Once a Steeler, always a Steeler — right? Former Steelers backup QB Charlie Batch had a different take on the matter in relation to T.J. Watt's future in the Steel City.
On the Up & Adams show, Kay Adams asked Batch for his opinion on whether or not Watt will finish his career as a Pittsburgh Steeler — and he argued competing for a Super Bowl could decide it all:
"That's tough to say, because I don't know how long he wants to play," Batch said. "Typically, you sign a four-year deal and then let's see what happens later on in his career. He needs to get closer to that Super Bowl, if not winning that Super Bowl, for him to be convinced that he wants to stay here. He wants to be a one-helmet guy — Cam Heyward showed him how that works. But, ultimately, the goal in Pittsburgh is not to win division titles — it's to win a Super Bowl. So, he's going to pay attention to how the roster is made up. … That's the business of football; when you look back, no matter how great you are, there's a strong chance the team that you start with, you're not going to finish with, right?"
Year in and year out, as first-round playoff exits pile up, it's become more and more difficult to sell veteran players and free agent acquisitions on why they should take a pay cut to play for Pittsburgh — and Batch hit the nail on the head with Watt, who may be past the point of no return in regards to a hometown discount.
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