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When you think about the Steelers’ defense in recent years, T.J. Watt’s name will almost inevitably spring to mind. The 30-year-old former Defensive Player of the Year has proven time and again that he is an elite player who can change a game on any given snap.
Already eight years into his NFL career, Watt has surpassed all expectations as the 30th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has been named to four first-team All-Pro teams and an additional second-team while amassing 108 sacks in his career. That total has surpassed every player in Steelers for the most in franchise history, passing former Pittsburgh great James Harrison.
However, that record doesn’t fully capture his influence on Pittsburgh’s defense. Consider Watt’s role in altering how offensive lines plan their strategy or how his presence creates gaps for teammates to exploit. You might wonder how Watt’s adaptability and the constant threat he’s posed have reshaped the Steelers’ defensive approach. How does one player’s impact ripple through an entire team?
The foundation of the Steelers defense
The Steelers are 1-10 all-time without Watt in the lineup during the regular season, highlighting how important of a contributor he is to the team’s future. That’s why Pittsburgh needs to continue using Watt as the cornerstone of their defense and build around him.
Despite what Pro Football Focus may say, Watt could very well be the best edge rusher in the league. While his sack totals took a dip in 2024, there’s no taking away his defensive dominance and impact on team performance. Achieving 462 total tackles with 331 solo showcases Watt’s substantial individual contribution to the Steelers’ defense.
Watt’s ability to shift momentum significantly is second to none. With 33 forced fumbles, 126 tackles-for-loss, and an additional 225 quarterback hits, it’s hard to argue that any other individual player is as valuable to their team as Watt is to the Steelers.
This offseason, the Steelers need to adapt their defensive strategies to exploit Watt’s strengths and complicate their opponents’ offensive plans, to enhance their overall defensive performance. He has consistently shown an ability to influence the outcome of games, which corresponds to the Steelers winning record when he’s healthy and on the field.
For those interested in wagering, T.J. Watt player odds are available on various platforms like FanDuel, with the odds reflecting his impactful performances.
Sacks and defensive dominance
Few numbers in the NFL are as impressive as T.J. Watt’s ability to sack the quarterback. On October 6, 2024, during a game against the Dallas Cowboys he achieved the milestone of recording his 100th career sack, making him the second-fastest player in NFL history to do so, accomplishing it in just 109 games. (Hall of Famer Reggie White is the only player to have amassed 100 sacks faster, having done so in 96 games.)
In 2021, Watt tied Michael Strahan for the NFL single season record with 22.5 sacks. Watt has also consistently led the league in sacks multiple times. While he’s a ways off from Bruce Smith’s all-time record of 200 sacks, Watt is closing in on the top spot of active players. T.J. is currently sixth among active pros, trailing current leader Von Miller (129.5) while still outpacing 2017 NFL Draft rival and defensive force Myles Garrett (who has 102.5 sacks to Watt’s 108.)
Like many of the greats, Watt’s dominance forces opposing offenses to become one-dimensional. Also, being the most frequently double-teamed player in the league is testament to his enormous threat level, providing opportunities for teammates to excel.
Prolific force in creating turnovers
In the domain of NFL defense, disruption is the name of the game, and T.J. Watt excels at creating turnovers. He’s got an incredible knack for being where the ball is and making pivotal plays.
In Ben Roethlisberger’s final game as a pro, Watt was the only player to score in the first quarter – that’s within the context of a defensive player scoring the only game’s only points up against the nearly unstoppable Kansas City Chiefs. Pittsburgh needs to do more to help Watt create these type of splash plays, however.
One of the smarter moves the Steelers have made in recent years is making sure there are other bodies who can help rush the quarterback so opponents can’t key in on only stopping Watt. Along those who have blossomed opposite T.J. over the last few seasons include Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. Highsmith has been able to tally 35.5 sacks in five seasons while Herbig, as a backup, has been fireplug with 8.5 sacks in only five starts over a two-year span.
Watt was instrumental in helping the Steelers tie for the league lead in turnovers in 2024, but following a late season defensive collapse, it feels as if there’s more the organization can do to leverage Watt’s playmaking abilities.
Overcoming scheme challenges
Opposing teams often devote multiple blockers to neutralize Watt. At times, the Steelers have countered by moving Watt across various alignments, creating mismatches and leveraging his agility. Strategic NFL game matchups on FanDuel often highlight these key defensive battles, showcasing how elite pass rushers like Watt can shift the momentum of a game.
Using different formations, Pittsburgh is able to exploit weaknesses in opponents’ blocking schemes. Still, you might notice that weaknesses in the Steelers’ run defense and their reliance on a few key players can limit Watt’s overall impact. By addressing these issues and enhancing consistency across the defensive line, they can further elevate Watt’s effectiveness.
Defensive captain Cameron Heyward is one of the league’s best defensive linemen. He will turn 36 in May, leaving questions as to how much – and much longer – the ageless wonder can continue to produce.
Pittsburgh can take a page from the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles this offseason by building out their defensive line. The veteran Larry Ogunjobi is a steady constant, while promising young defensive tackle Keeanu Benton could be the next great Steelers lineman. Those are building blocks that could help take opposing offensive linemen out of the equation to free up Watt, so it’s certainly an area of the roster that GM Omar Kahn should focus on this offseason.
The Eagles were also able to abuse opposing offenses after locking down their secondary with two rookie cornerbacks, Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. In a copycat league, the Steelers should eye the possibility of finding compliments to Joey Porter Jr., who was often bookended with an inconsistent Donte Jackson and inexperienced Cory Trice. The nickel corner position was also inconsistent, with undrafted Beanie Bishop creating enough splash plays to merit consideration for the starting role, but veteran Cameron Sutton (who returned to Pittsburgh after being released by the Lions due to off-field issues) struggled following his return from an eight-game suspension.
A potential high-level addition or two on the defensive side could break everything open for the Steelers to attack teams like the Chiefs, just as the Eagles did. You’ve seen how T.J. Watt’s relentless pursuit has transformed the Steelers’ defense into a formidable force. With over 100 sacks under his belt, he’s not just a game-changer; he’s a game dominator.
What’s intriguing is his knack for drawing double teams, which doesn’t just spotlight his prowess but also opens up plays for his teammates. Watt’s versatility and relentless drive make him a pivotal factor in the Steelers’ defensive success, ensuring they’re always a step ahead. As such, the team shouldn’t focus on only offense this offseason, but look to place a few more pieces on the defense around Watt to boost their chances of success.
The Steelers’ defensive identity should continue to be built around T.J. Watt appeared first on Steel City Underground.