The Pittsburgh Steelers inked star edge rusher T.J. Watt to a three-year, $123 million deal with $108 million fully guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, surpassing Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett. However, there is still a cloud that hangs over Watt and the Steelers, and that is the ongoing playoff win drought.

In a sitdown with Graham Besigner on an episode of In Depth, Watt talked about what motivates him, and he noted that the lack of playoff wins is “unacceptable.”

“I think that’s absolutely unacceptable,” Watt said. “And that is what’s attached to my name right now and I have to answer for that. As much as it sucks, when you say, “TJ Watt: X, Y, Z” you also say, “ TJ Watt: Not won a playoff game.”

“It genuinely bothers me because I’m a part of those teams. As much as I’m only one player – as much as whoever’s one player – you are putting your hand in the pile too. I feel like I can make a difference enough to help win a playoff game and to have that to [my] legacy. Especially when you play for an organization that has six Super Bowls… It’s like TJ Watt: Yeah, great individual player. But what’s the team success? And that’s what really bothers me.”

The Steelers are 0-5 in playoff games in Watt’s career, and the defense has been a major focus for scrutiny. However, it should be pointed out that it’s especially hard for defenses to slow down elite offenses when their own offense constantly goes three-and-out and can’t put up points of their own. While the defense certainly isn’t without fault, the offense will determine the ceiling of the 2025 Steelers and if they can end the playoff drought.