Steelers' TJ Watt Had Glowing Remarks For Young Players Expected To Make An Impact In 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting to have one of the better defenses in the NFL during the 2025 season. The fan base wants to see a dominant unit on that side of the ball, especially with the defense being the highest-paid in the league for the fourth consecutive season. The unit hasn't played up to par during some games in recent years, and they completely collapsed at the end of the 2024 season. Pittsburgh focused on injecting some youth and physicality into the defensive line during the 2025 offseason, and players have been taking notice.

Pittsburgh spent its first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on the defensive line as the organization selected Derrick Harmon. The Steelers then added to the outside linebacker room by grabbing Jack Sawyer, and the franchise then selected the massive defensive lineman Yahya Black. Rookies and younger players are going to be expected to contribute a lot during the 2025 season, and star outside linebacker TJ Watt spoke with Missi Matthews about what he has noticed from that crop during training camp.

"Payton [Wilson] looks incredible," Watt said. "Second year around, we always talk about that jump in Year 1, Year 2. Very physical, becoming more vocal. In our room, I think D-Harm looks really good for a young rookie. I think Sawyer looks good too. Just guys that are football guys and they're asking the right questions. They want to succeed. They want to know how they can continue to improve and get better. So it's been refreshing."

Outside of the rookies, Watt made sure to mention the jump he has seen from second-year inside linebacker Payton Wilson. Wilson was probably Pittsburgh's best coverage linebacker in 2024, but he was taken off the field in certain running situations. He has set the goal to not leave the field at all during the 2025 season, and based off of Watt's comments, the young linebacker is ready for that responsibility.

Wilson taking a leap in his play would be huge for the defense as it would give Pittsburgh two reliable inside linebackers in Wilson and Patrick Queen. That paired with some production from the rookies up front could solve the Steelers' issue of having trouble stopping the run, which was prevalent at the end of the 2024 season. 

Reports out of training camp have been great concerning Harmon and Black, but Watt provided some more insight on Sawyer when asked how the rookie fits into the dominant outside linebacker group.

"We call him five-star," Watt said. "He's a five-star recruit. The golden child out of Ohio. He's been great, he really has been. He's a big guy, isn't afraid to go and hit people, but also has some good finesse moves. He's been a good rookie so far, but it's still too early to say."

Sawyer will have some opportunities during his rookie year, but he is playing behind three great outside linebackers in Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. He is the second outside linebacker coming off of the bench, but he should have some opportunities to make splash plays, which would solidify his role in the group.

Steelers Hoping They Found The Future Of Their Defense

The Steelers' recent draft classes possibly possess the future of the defensive identity in Pittsburgh. Going back to 2023, the team found a rising cornerback in Joey Porter Jr., as well as Herbig and Keeanu Benton. The organization landed Wilson in 2024, and Harmon, Black, and Sawyer comprise the 2025 class. That is a promising group of young players that hopefully continue the strong defensive lineage that the Steelers are known for. 

What do you think of Watt's remarks about the younger players? Which rookie are you most excited to watch play in the regular season? Let us know in the comments below!

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