Tomlin Identifies 'Angry Little Brother' Trait In T.J. Watt Pre-Draft

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin revealed that he recognized a fierce competitive streak in defensive end T.J. Watt before selecting him in the 2017 NFL Draft. During an interview on Coach2Coach, Tomlin described attending dinner with Watt prior to his pro day at Wisconsin and sensing an underlying rage similar to his own experience as a younger brother.

Tomlin explained that he deliberately avoided asking about T.J.'s older sibling during their meal because he understood the dynamic firsthand. He noted that J.J. Watt had already won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards before 2017, establishing himself at the highest level of professional football.

The former coach also compared this family motivation to basketball legend Michael Jordan and stated that younger siblings are often driven by competition within their families. Tomlin emphasized appreciating T.J.'s approach as an "angry little brother" who works hard to establish his own identity alongside his successful older sibling.