The Pittsburgh Steelers have been very lucky to have superstar edge rusher TJ Watt in the Steel City for eight seasons. In that time, Watt has established himself as one of the greatest players in franchise history, not only for his defensive dominance, but for his overall impact on the game. Even during seasons when the offense struggled to produce, Watt consistently stepped up and helped keep the Steelers competitive with his relentless energy and game-changing plays.
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Steelers star edge rusher TJ Watt brings down Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins for a crucial sack during a high-intensity road matchup in the 2024 NFL season, showcasing his trademark burst off the edge and relentless pursuit.
Watt recently agreed to a massive three-year, $123 million contract extension, which ensures he will remain a cornerstone of the defense into his 30s. While many fans were thrilled with the move, some have raised concerns about committing such a large sum to a player at this stage of his career. However, Watt has shown no signs of slowing down, and the Steelers believe he still has several elite years ahead if used properly within the defensive scheme.
One ongoing criticism of the Steelers' approach is the predictability of how they line up Watt. Too often, he is positioned in the same spot, allowing opposing offenses to anticipate where the pressure is coming from. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly appeared on 93.7 The Fan and offered strong advice that could help elevate Watt’s production even further. Kaboly suggested the team should move Watt around more frequently, making it harder for offensive lines to prepare and giving Watt more opportunities to exploit mismatches across the line.
"I would like to see him have that Troy [Polamalu], Minkah [Fitzpatrick], early days, role," Kaboly said. "Where you really don’t know. I mean, if he sees something, let’s move him around."
What Kaboly is suggesting here is not exactly groundbreaking. In fact, if you look at how the Cleveland Browns utilize their star edge rusher Myles Garrett, it is easy to see the kind of approach Kaboly believes the Steelers could adopt. The Browns frequently move Garrett around the defensive front, creating confusion for opposing offensive lines and making it difficult for them to predict where the pressure will come from.
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Steelers' star pass rusher TJ Watt shares a brief postgame moment with Browns defensive standout Myles Garrett following a hard-fought AFC North battle between Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
Kaboly thinks the Steelers could implement a similar strategy with Watt to maximize his impact on the field. However, this idea has a significant caveat that isn’t new to the discussion. Watt himself has openly expressed that he prefers playing on the left side of the defense. He feels most comfortable there and has broken numerous records lining up in that position. Watt’s mindset is simple: if it isn’t broken, there is no need to fix it.
On the other hand, moving Watt to different spots within the defensive scheme could create serious advantages. Shifting him around would make it much harder for offensive lines to identify and prepare for his pass rush. It would also reduce their ability to chip block or double team him, increasing the chances for Watt to win his matchups.
Many analysts and insiders believe that if Watt were given the chance to get comfortable playing in multiple positions along the line, he could thrive even more. Exploring this approach further could unlock a new level of unpredictability in the Steelers’ pass rush, which would be a valuable asset in an increasingly competitive league.
Steelers Could Get More Creative With TJ Watt
Up to this point, the Steelers have likely respected Watt’s wishes and allowed him to play where he feels most effective. However, as the 2024 season progressed, it became clear that relying solely on this approach may have its limits. Watt’s impact remains undeniable, but toward the end of the season, his usual highlight-reel plays were noticeably fewer, likely due in part to playing through an injury.
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Steelers’ relentless edge rusher TJ Watt brings down Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson with a powerful sack, demonstrating his dominance and playmaking ability in a crucial moment of the game.
Even so, the Steelers could benefit greatly by experimenting with more creative ways to deploy their superstar pass rusher. Finding new ways to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks could make a significant difference, and it would be exciting to see the Steelers’ defense embrace a more innovative, flexible game plan moving forward.
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