Dani Watt questioned the NFL’s decision to move ahead with the Steelers-Saints game in Paris as unrest continued across France this weekend.
On Monday, T.J. Watt’s wife shared a CBS Pittsburgh post on her Instagram story reporting that the league was “continuing forward with plans for the upcoming Steelers-Saints game amid unrest in Paris.” She added her own blunt reaction:
“Tell me how this makes sense???”
The backlash comes after France saw widespread riots over the weekend, with more than 550,000 people in the streets protesting the high cost of living and low-quality public services. CNBC reported that around 2,400 people were arrested, dozens of shops were damaged or looted, and over 1,000 police officers were injured.
Despite the disorder, the NFL has kept the game on schedule. ESPN analyst Adam Schefter shared the league’s statement on Sunday, saying:
“We continue to work closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. We are also providing the two clubs with regular updates. There’s been no disruption or impact at league sites.”
The Saints arrived in Paris on Monday for the Week 7 matchup, even as the criticism around the trip kept building. Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy also took aim at the league’s decision to stick with the plan.
Not everyone is objecting, though. Saints executive Greg Bensel backed the NFL’s approach in a statement Schefter posted Sunday:
“We concur with the NFL’s statement and are planning to play the game. In addition to working closely with the NFL, we have also maintained daily security updates with our security partners in France. Members of our football operations staff and internal security team have been on the ground in France for the past few days, and there has been no disruption or impact at any of our team sites.”
The Steelers enter the game at 4-2 after beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6. The Saints are 2-4 following their win over the New York Giants.
In Other News...
Saints Get A Massive Test In Paris At The Perfect Time
The Saints head into their trip to France coming off a win over the Giants, but the finish offered a reminder that there is still plenty to clean up before the schedule stiffens again. Now they are shifting from one kind of challenge to another, with a meeting against the Steelers set to take place in Paris and a very different backdrop waiting off the field.
For Kellen Moore, the trip looks like more than just a novelty stop on the schedule. He sees it as a chance for the team to reset and spend more time together, which matters for a group still trying to sharpen its identity. New Orleans also held a security briefing before traveling, a reminder that the football part of the week is unfolding against a tense international backdrop even as the Saints try to keep their focus on the game itself. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Win Came With One Standout And One Brutal PFF Grade
A close win over the Giants gave the Saints another reminder that not every victory looks clean on the grades sheet, even when the result holds up. Pro Football Focus liked what it saw from right tackle Taliese Fuaga and cornerback Martin Emerson, Jr., two players who stood out in different ways as New Orleans navigated a game that demanded steady play on both sides of the ball.
Emersons work in coverage helped anchor the defensive side of the evaluation, while the offensive review told a far less flattering story for one familiar target. Juwan Johnson came away with the harshest mark among Saints offensive players, a rough reflection of how much the team still needs from him in both protection and the passing game if the offense is going to make these narrow wins feel more repeatable. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Still Waiting On Jordyn Tyson At Worst Possible Time
Jordyn Tysons first NFL chapter with the Saints remains on hold at a time when New Orleans could have used another explosive option on the field. General manager Mickey Loomis said the first-round pick will not practice or play in Week 7 because of a hamstring injury, and the team will have to keep moving ahead without him for Sundays game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Tyson did travel with the Saints to France, but his return to action is now tied to the week after the teams Week 8 bye. For a club still trying to settle in and find more consistency, the wait only adds to the intrigue around when the rookie receiver will finally make his debut and how quickly he can become part of the offense. [Read more 🡒]