T.J. Watt aims to break the Steelers’ sack record against the Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is on the brink of a historic achievement as he prepares to take the field for his 89th career game on Monday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns.

Watt, despite being just 28 years old, finds himself a mere half-sack away from surpassing James Harrison as the Steelers’ all-time sack leader. This remarkable feat underscores Watt’s extraordinary ability to relentlessly pursue and bring down opposing quarterbacks.

This particular game holds added significance for Watt, driven by the bitter taste of a 30-7 defeat in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers. He now sets his sights on fourth-round rookie Dawand Jones, who is stepping into his first NFL start due to Jack Conklin’s season-ending ACL injury in Week 1. Watt’s determination to leave his mark on this matchup is palpable.

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Jones on Watt

“Great player, great guy,” Jones said. “I’ve been watching film nonstop. Had to be on top of it for sure this week. Knowing he has so many moves in his arsenal.”

Watt’s ultimate goal is to break the franchise sack record while securing the Steelers’ first win of the season against the Browns. His current sack count stands at an impressive 80.5, a figure that, while not cracking the all-time top 75 in NFL history, ties him for the most sacks recorded by a Steeler in the team’s storied history.

On the Browns’ side, they will be fielding Jones at right tackle, following Conklin’s injury last week. Although this marks Jones’s first NFL start, he has garnered positive reviews throughout the season, particularly for his adept pass protection skills.

The stage is set for a showdown tonight, and kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.