With the Tennessee Titans almost certainly set to part ways with Taylor Lewan this offseason, there has been some speculation about him possibly going to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team that needs O-line help.
However, that might be a difficult sell to Steelers superstar outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who has had his fair share of beef with Lewan in the past.
Before arriving at the Super Bowl this week, Lewan admitted to not only hitting Watt in the private area in the past, he also said he spit in the edge rusher’s face.
Along with his admission, Lewan was looking to make peace with Watt, who he hopes to land on his “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast at some point. Watt has denied Lewan three times.
“So, we send an olive branch out — T.J. Watt, his team, we would love to have you on our podcast during Super Bowl week,” Lewan said. “You’ll be there. We’ll be there. We’ll come to you. Do whatever you need to do. Just come and hit the boys. And this [expletive] just told us no. He just denied us for the third time in a row. I don’t know. And they want us to be teammates. It kind of just feels like that’s bad teammate vibes, right? We’ve had our past. Yeah, I spit in his face. I hit him in the nuts one time. Like, that is, listen, hand up, that’s on me. But damn, boys, like, can we turn a page? Let’s just turn a page and move on.”
Lewan’s beef with Watt wasn’t a secret, but the reason behind wasn’t known.
The Titans left tackle detailed in 2021 how Watt and then-Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree challenged him to a fight after a 2017 game. We can assume one of the incidents Lewan talked about above was at the root of that.
One time Tj watt and I got into it his rookie year and @Bud_Dupree and TJ said they were gonna fight me at the bus.. they didn’t and I appreciate that. Welcome to the team brother! You are gonna love it here. @titans #ACLbrothers
— Taylor Lewan (@TaylorLewan77) March 16, 2021
When asked about any issues he might have with Lewan and the idea of possibly playing while on “The Maggie and Perloff Show”, Watt didn’t bite.
“I don’t know,” Watt said. “I mean, all those front office decisions aren’t mine, so that makes it easy for me.”
When pressed further and asked if he is watching the situation closely, Watt said he’s just minding his own business.
“No, I kind of mind my own business this time of year,” he added.
I can’t say I blame Watt for not exactly rushing to forgive Lewan. After all, one of the worst, most disrespectful things you can do to someone is spit in their face.
That’s not something easily forgiven, but if Lewan hopes to land with the Steelers this offseason, that fence will likely have to be mended first.
