0-4. That is the record TJ Watt has seen in the playoffs as a player now on the Pittsburgh Steelers following their loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Time is ticking, Watt knows this. It’s why following this loss it wouldn’t be surprising to see him request a trade this offseason.

Watt has had a phenomenal career with the Steelers, turning into a franchise cornerstone for the defense. He has had 108 sacks and 462 tackles over his career, while also accumulating 50 pass deflections. From his ability to generate pressure at a high rate to diagnosing runs and being a force there as well, Watt is cemented among the best edge rushers in the NFL.

Despite his talents, not seeing a win in the playoffs as a Steeler doesn’t match the talent he is providing on defense. Watt is 30, and the Steelers’ offense still has not been able to become an established unit since the Ben Roethlisberger eras during Watt’s career. This has to be discouraging to him, and with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields set to be free agents, the direction at quarterback for 2025 is completely open without an answer. For Watt, he should want more.

While he would ideally want to finish out his career in Pittsburgh where it all started, that might not be the case. It’s clear the Steelers have reached their ceiling under Mike Tomlin and need to undergo a full rebuild, and Watt doesn’t have the time to wait for that. In the final years of his career while still playing at a high level, Watt should look to be traded to a contender that he can win a Super Bowl on. Some of the contending teams that should be appealing for Watt that make sense include the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills.