TJ Watt admits the biggest regret of his career is not having a playoff win

TJ Watt doesn't want to play forever in the NFL.

TJ Watt admits the biggest regret of his career is not having a playoff win

TJ Watt (Via Imago)

TJ Watt, considered one of the top defensive players in the NFL, is entering his eighth season. Throughout his time in the league, Watt has achieved almost every high honor possible for a defensive player, except one—which remains his biggest regret.

Since his draft in 2017, Watt has been with the Pittsburgh Steelers and contributed to four playoff appearances. Unfortunately, in all four of them, the team was eliminated after the first playoff game after facing a defeat. And as the linebacker is close to turning 30, all he could think about is what he couldn’t accomplish: a playoff victory.

In an interview with The Athletic‘s Mark Kaboly, Watt opened up about the biggest regret of his career with the Steelers, who hold the tied record for the highest number of Super Bowl wins. With integral changes in the roster, Watt claimed he is ready for a playoff showdown in the upcoming season.

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For me, it is all about no playoff wins. I am trying to do anything I can do. We have so much turnover year to year and so many new guys that it is trying to learn as much as possible coming from guys from other organizations that have done it and won championships since being in the league.
TJ Watt said

Watt admitted that not having a playoff victory serves as more of a motivator for him than a regret. As he looks ahead to the 2024 season, he has promised himself not to take any day for granted and when the time comes to execute, he is determined to put “everything aside” and secure that triumph.

TJ Watt uncertain about his retirement plans

While discussing the topic, Watt also mentioned his thoughts on retirement. He noted that his brother, the legendary defensive player JJ Watt, retired at the age of 33. However, TJ asserted that he doesn’t plan to play for that long himself.

The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year recalled how his brother also used to say that he wouldn’t play for super long, but then “things happened and he ended up playing longer.”

TJ Watt
Steelers star defensive player TJ Watt (Via Imago)

That’s why TJ claimed he cannot say anything for sure but if it was solely in his hands, he too doesn’t want to play forever. While he isn’t certain about his retirement plans, one thing he is sure of is that it won’t happen until he wins a playoff game.

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