Colin Cowherd of FS1 has been on record over the last few years that the Pittsburgh Steelers overspend on defense and neglect the offensive side of the ball. In 2025, Cowherd believes it's all about the offense. And with T.J. Watt receiving a three-year, $123 million extension, Cowherd questions the direction of the Steelers.
"It's not the talented [T.J.] Watt, it's how they prioritize defense," Cowherd said Friday on FS1's The Herd . "Frankly, their defense isn't that good. Four straight years, it's been out of the top 10 in total defense.
"Let's talk playoffs, because that's all that matters in this sport, January, if you go look at the last five playoff games for the Pittsburgh Steelers, they've given up 28, 31, 42, 48, and 45. They give up 40 points a game. They're spending all this money on the wrong side of the ball, and they're not dominant."
Cowherd pointed out that the Steelers' offense ranked 29th in red zone offense last year and had the 27th-best offensive line.
"They are completely dysfunctional on offense," Cowherd said. "… When I look at Pittsburgh. Don't hate the player, hate the direction. Hate what they prioritize. Why can't they watch the Rams , Niners, Lions, Chiefs , Eagles and Bills. Keep your defense cheap and young! Pay one great defensive player. I'd all be for paying [T.J.] this if the rest of your cap was on offense and you had an elite quarterback, an elite left tackle and an elite running back. The Steelers need a more balanced football diet. The league went into protein and they're all carbs.
"And what is their answer? I keep on hearing, 'Well, they're all in.' And their answer to their offensive woes? [41]-year-old Aaron Rodgers . Who was like sorta committed in the offseason. He's their Ozempic. He's going to solve everything. He's going to solve their diet. So, again, it's not T.J. Watt."
While some analysts, like Cowherd and Nick Wright of FS1 , ripped the Steelers' decision to give Watt a three-year, $123 million extension that includes $108 million fully guaranteed at signing. Former Steelers free safety and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark praised the organization for giving Watt what he rightfully deserves.
"You did what you were supposed to do, by giving T.J. Watt what he's earned, and what he has the potential to produce on the field for you," Clark said, via NFL Live on ESPN . "…Man, you had to do this. T.J. Watt earned this contract. You're taking care of all these people that aren't lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers. You're going to get this sort of production from T.J. Watt this year, next year, and the year after. As long as he's healthy and he's on the field, you know what he produces. You also know the way this equates to wins for this team."
No player has recorded more sacks over the last five seasons than Watt, who has 73.5 during that span. In one-score games since 2021, Watt ranks first in sacks (43), forced fumbles (12) and batted passes (14), according to Pro Football Focus .
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, four-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler has recorded 462 tackles, 108 sacks, 33 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, seven interceptions and 50 passes defended in his NFL career.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Radio Host Rips Direction of Steelers: 'They're Spending All This Money on the Wrong Side of the Ball'
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