Steelers' TJ Watt Praises Jalen Ramsey’s Relentless Drive In 2025: 'He’s Still So Hungry'
Part of the reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers are currently sitting in first place in the AFC North is because of the veteran leadership and experience that is on the roster, especially on the defensive side of the football. One of the most experienced and star-studded players on the roster, edge-rusher TJ Watt, knows greatness when he sees it. At least, that is the case when you have 113 career sacks and are a former Defensive Player of the Year. So when he sends praise to another great player, you know it has a fairly strong basis.
In this particular instance, Watt sent praise to teammate Jalen Ramsey, who has accomplished a lot during his decade-long career. Watt was recently asked by the Pittsburgh media about Ramsey after practice on Friday and had a lot of positive things to say about the former Super Bowl champion.
"He's hungry, man. A guy that's done everything in the National Football League you possibly can do and he's still so hungry," Watt said of Ramsey. "A guy that's playing phenomenal football. He brings just a tenacious outlook on football and how he plays the game. That speaks to the culture, getting hats on the ball, playing with swag, all of the stuff that Jalen does."
Even at 31 years of age, Ramsey is still flying around on defense. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection has started all eight games for Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin in 2025. The former Florida State star has recorded 35 total tackles, five pass deflections, three quarterback hits, two tackles for loss, and an interception.
While there have been times where he has looked sluggish, he has proven that greatness can continue to stay with great players. On a veteran-heavy defense, along with Watt, seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Cam Heyward, and six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay, Ramsey has done his best to make sure he is playing at a high level.
Steelers' Defense Continues To Be On The Come-Up
While Pittsburgh's defense has not played like its usual self for much of this season, it might be starting to turn a corner. Thanks to a simplified approach last Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, the Steelers were able to come out with a victory over what was the top-ranked offense in the league at the time. The Colts were forced into six turnovers, including three interceptions. Furthermore, All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor was held to just 45 rushing yards on the day. That is the type of defense that Steelers fans have become accustomed to seeing over the years from Tomlin's teams. Ramsey added in five tackles, and Watt added in a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery. After back-to-back weeks of allowing over 450 total yards and 30+ points, this performance was needed in a big way.
Now, the Steelers are getting ready to go out West to face the 6-3 Los Angeles Chargers in a key AFC showdown on Sunday night. This will be the third primetime game for the Steelers in the last four weeks. In this upcoming game, the Chargers are coming in hurt, both along the offensive line and in the backfield. While the Bolts have a talented quarterback in Justin Herbert leading the way for top-five offensive unit, this is still a gettable game for Pittsburgh. If Austin's defense can find a way to play like it did against the Colts, especially with a potential assist from the Steelers fans that will be in attendance for the game at SoFi Stadium, a victory should not at all be out of the question.
Look for the future Hall of Fame defenders in Ramsey, Watt, and Heyward to be at their absolute best. Remember, a win here and the team could potentially open up a wider lead over the arch-rival Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.
Key offensive position might be Buccaneers' biggest draft need in 2026
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been ravaged by injuries this season, and instead of making a move at the trade deadline to bolster their roster, they decided to stick with what they have.
Many disagree with the Bucs not doing anything to improve their roster, but over 11 seasons as general manager, Jason Licht has made just one in-season trade. It’s hard to argue with Licht’s philosophy when he continues to hit on impact players in the draft, even in the latter rounds. However, with a plethora of needs and holes set to open up in the 2026 offseason, parting with picks is something Licht refused to do.
Some teams made moves to address the now and the future, moves that will ripple when it comes to free agency and the draft. Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report compiled his list of the biggest needs for each team after the trade deadline, and he pointed out the tight end position for the Bucs as the biggest area to tackle in 2026 free agency.
Could Buccaneers go tight end next year in the NFL Draft?
“Cade Otton is not a high-impact player to begin with, but there's really no other option at the tight end position in Tampa,” Gagnon wrote. “The 26-year-old is slated to become a free agent in March. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has a lot of options at wide receiver, but could use a boost in the tight end role.”
Respectfully, I have to disagree with his assessment. Otton has been a great player for the Bucs, and the hope is they will be able to re-sign him after the season, but the Bucs have much bigger holes to worry about on both sides of the ball come 2026.
Linebacker, edge rusher, running back, and wide receiver could all be more important positions of need when free agency and the draft come around next year. This could likely be Lavonte David’s final year in red and pewter, and after a possible season-ending injury and the end of his 1,000-yard season streak, one has to wonder if Mike Evans, a free agent, will choose to keep playing or hang it up himself.
But those areas of need go beyond just Evans and David. SirVocea Dennis has yet to show he can be a consistent every-down linebacker as he’s struggled in coverage this season, and there are no options on the roster beyond him. Chris Godwin missed the start of the season, and even when he came back before getting injured again, he didn't look like himself. And then there's Jalen McMillan, who is dealing with a serious neck injury. The Bucs have serious question marks at both positions and will need to be addressed come March.
Tampa Bay is likely set to lose Rachaad White in free agency, and it’s doubtful they tender Sean Tucker, who will be an restricted free agent. Josh Williams has impressed the Bucs, but they will need someone who can hold up in pass protection and spell Bucky Irving to round out the room. Haason Reddick has been impactful as far as pressures and garnering extra attention go — however, he has just one sack on the year and will be a free agent after the season. The Bucs will get David Walker back, but he has yet to prove himself in the NFL, and Chris Braswell has not developed as hoped. Yaya Diaby and Anthony Nelson will be in the final year of their deals as well, so finding more help in the edge room will certainly be a priority this offseason.
The Bucs like Otton and would like to see him stick around for the foreseeable future. However, it will come down to dollars and cents. Tampa Bay won’t overpay for Otton when they have so many other holes that will need to be addressed this offseason.
