Steelers player select DE Cam Heyward over OLB T.J. Watt, others as defensive team captain for 2021 season
The Pittsburgh Steelers announced the team’s captains for the upcoming 2021 season. In a player-only voting system, those captains were none other than QB Ben Roethlisberger, DE Cam Heyward, and special-teams ace FB Derek Watt (T.J. brother)
Last year, the Steelers had five team captains. Those captains were designated by two on offense, two on defense, and one on special-teams. Those chosen five were Roethlisberger, OC Maurkice Pouncey, Heyward, OLB T.J. Watt, and S Jordan Dangerfield.
The year prior, the Steelers had only four team captains; Roethlisberger, Pouncey, Heyward, and special-teams ace Roosevelt Nix.
Some fans and NFL media heads are saying, by dismissing Watt as one of the team captains points to turmoil in Watt striking a long-term deal.
But I don’t think that’s the case. Too much stock is being given to the lack of movement publicly, but behind closed doors, who knows how little or how much the needle has moved.
If you would like to read more on Watt’s current contract situation, you can read my in-depth article on Watt’s fair market value, by reading the article above or clicking here.
As for the team captains, no surprise here. Roethlisberger was named the captain for the 11 consecutive season (13th overall), Heyward was named team captain for the seventh consecutive season and Derek was named as a first recipient.
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