T.J. Watt Criticizes Steelers’ Defensive Struggles After Loss to Bears: ‘Same Story’
In a lot of ways, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense put together a strong effort on the road against the Chicago Bears. T.J. Watt and company held the league’s No. 2 run offense to 99 yards and forced two takeaways. One of those turnovers resulted in a touchdown recovery.
But one problem still plagued the Steelers defense.
The Bears went 7-for-13 on third down. It was the sixth time in the past seven games that an opponent converted at least six third downs against the Steelers defense.
Watt addressed that issue in front of reporters after the team’s Week 12 loss in Chicago.
“A lot of second-and-longs that I can remember that either turned into third-and-shorts and were converted or were converted from second-and-long,” Watt told the media. “Same story, man. Gotta get off the field.”
Entering Week 12, the Steelers defense had allowed the third-most third-down conversions in the NFL this season. At 41.7%, the team also came into Sunday ranked 25th in third-down conversion rate allowed.
Chicago converted 53.8% of its third downs in Week 12. The Bears were also 1-for-1 on fourth down.
Steelers Defense Struggling on Third Down
Head coach Mike Tomlin often talks about the possession downs. The Steelers offense has improved a little bit on third down after a rough couple weeks in October.
But the defense has continued to be just average, at best, on stopping third downs.
From Weeks 8-11, the Steelers never allowed an opponent to convert more than half of their third downs. But the Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals all extended drives in some key instances. It resulted in more plays and time of possession against the Steelers defense.
Against the Packers and Chargers, the Pittsburgh defense eventually wore down in losses.
The opposite actually happened Sunday in Chicago. The Steelers offense controlled possession for much of the fourth quarter. That helped the Steelers defense post a couple three-and-outs in the final stanza.
But it wasn’t enough. The Bears converted seven of their first 11 third-down tries on their way to scoring 31 points.
T.J. Watt Creates Splash Play in Losing Effort
Watt hasn’t had as many game-changing plays in 2025 as past years. Early in the second quarter Sunday, though, Watt created pressure on Bears quarterback Caleb Williams.
The Steelers edge rusher knocked the ball out in the end zone. Fellow edge rusher Nick Herbig recovered the fumble for a touchdown.
The play gave the Steelers a 14-7 lead. Pittsburgh recorded another takeaway in the second quarter. But the offense couldn’t take advantage of that opportunity.
The Steelers failed to take a two-possession lead, and with a stalled offense in the third quarter, the Bears used their third-down conversion rate to go ahead by 10.
Chicago recorded 328 offensive yards, including 229 passing yards. While not overly impressive totals for the Steelers defense, the Bears were under their offensive average for the season.
But Chicago’s third-down conversion rate was higher than the offense has posted this season. Williams and the Bears offense on third down was a big reason why they were able to overcome Watt’s forced fumble and the other turnover.
Yankees Urged to Pursue Trade for $340 Million Outfielder
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The Yankees have been urged to trade for Padres' superstar outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. this offseason
Over the past week or so, the New York Yankees have begun to get active when it comes to beginning what figures to be a busy offseason of work. Trent Grisham, Clarke Schmidt, and Oswaldo Cabrera have all been re-signed, and the front office is hard at work exploring other moves to make.
There’s no doubt that New York could be busy in free agency, as it has cash to burn. But could it also be players on the trade market? And if so, who should it go out and pursue? If you ask Yankees’ insider Michael Kay, he believes that the team should make a serious push to acquire superstar outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. from the San Diego Padres this offseason.
Yankees Linked to Potential Fernando Tatis Jr. Trade
Fernando Tatis Jr. to the Yankees? @RealMichaelKay breaks down why it makes sense for him to be in the Bronx.
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New York has several areas of need already entering the offseason, and another one could pop up if Cody Bellinger bolts in free agency. There appears to be a desire between the two sides to reunite, but with Bellinger being on the open market now, another team could conceivably come in and outbid the Yanks for his services.
If that happens, replacing Bellinger in free agency would be a tall task. The trade market offers some unique alternatives, where Tatis looms as a potential superstar target. Some trade rumors have been swirling around Tatis recently, even though he is fresh off another All-Star campaign in 2025 that saw him hit .268 with 25 home runs, 71 RBIs, and 32 stolen bases.
Bellinger’s return would all but rule out a trade for Tatis. If he departs, though, that could open the door for New York’s front office to find a long-term partner for Aaron Judge in the outfield. Kay believes that if the bidding for Bellinger gets too high, which very well could end up happening, the team should turn to the trade market and try to swing a deal for Tatis.
“What did the Yankees need this year? They needed a right-handed bat, right?” Kay said on “The Michael Kay Show.” “Fernando Tatis is 26 years old … I would make a phone call to A.J. Preller. ‘What do you need? What do you want? We got a deep farm system; this is the type of player that would play huge in New York’ … If I’m the Yankees, and I see the bidding for Bellinger gets over $30 million, I might have to tap out … That’s when I make my pivot to Fernando Tatis Jr.”
Should the Yankees Trade for Fernando Tatis Jr.?
GettyFernando Tatís Jr.
If Tatis does somehow wind out on the trade block, he’d be perhaps the most sought-after player in the league this offseason. He’ll be turning just 27 years old in January, and he’s already locked into a $340 million contract that looks like a bargain compared to some of the other deals players have gotten over the past couple of years.
Sure, a blockbuster trade would be expensive, and it’s fair to wonder whether or not Tatis could angle to a restructured contract if he continues to play at a high level. Investing in Bellinger is a bit sketchy given his inconsistent production over the years, and while he has some PED controversies in his past, Tatis has been a superstar when he’s been on the field throughout his career. If Bellinger doesn’t return, New York should go all in on a potential deal for Tatis.
