TJ Watt Detailed Steelers' Defensive Changes That Will Punish Seahawks' Sam Darnold

The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense didn’t come out and do what many expected against the New York Jets in Week 1. Luckily for the Steelers, they still managed to secure a 34-32 victory, giving the team a strong start to the 2025 season. While the win was important, the defense’s struggles were hard to ignore, as they gave up 394 yards of total offense and allowed the Jets to stay in the game until the final moments. The team knows improvements are necessary, especially as they prepare for a tough matchup in Week 2.

Now the Steelers will open up at home at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, and the defense will be looking to make a statement. After the shaky performance against New York, Pittsburgh’s defensive unit is motivated to tighten up coverage, pressure the quarterback, and limit big plays. Head Coach Mike Tomlin, Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin, and players alike have stressed the importance of correcting mistakes, setting the stage for a more dominant performance in front of the home crowd.

On Friday, Steelers superstar pass rusher TJ Watt joined the Randy Baumann and the DVE Morning Show to outline exactly what the defense plans to change against Seattle. Watt made it clear that the goal is to make life difficult for Seahawks new quarterback Sam Darnold, emphasizing a more aggressive pass rush, tighter edge containment, and forcing turnovers whenever possible. With Watt leading the charge, the Steelers’ defense is hoping to turn their Week 1 lessons into a brutal day for the Seahawks and set the tone for the rest of the season.

"I think it’s just getting back to doing our job, each individual guy doing our job so collectively we can play as fast and fluid as we want to," Watt said while speaking on the show on Friday about making sure they get Darnold on the ground. "All film is good film, whether it’s a win or a loss. We won the game last week, but we did a lot of things that we felt were not Steeler football."

After the Steelers allowed Justin Fields, Breece Hall, and the Jets' offense to dictate much of the game, they finally tightened up down the stretch. On the final drive, the defense, led by Jalen Ramsey, dominated to stop the Jets and secure the Steelers’ 1-0 start. 

Now, Pittsburgh will be focused on correcting their defensive lapses and making life difficult for Darnold when the Seahawks visit Acrisure Stadium on Sunday.

"We have had all week to correct," Watt said. "We will have a great practice today and hopefully come out on Sunday looking like a much different, much more effective defense."

Steelers Hopeful For A Better Defensive Showing In Week 2

On the back end, the secondary will need to communicate better and avoid giving up big plays, something that was a major issue last week. The linebackers, meanwhile, are expected to fill the gaps quickly and help contain the run game, making sure the Seahawks can’t establish any rhythm. The combination of a smarter, more aggressive front seven and a disciplined secondary could make Sunday a very long day for Darnold.

If the Steelers defense can execute these changes, Pittsburgh fans should see a unit that looks sharper, more dominant, and ready to set the tone for the season. This is a chance for the defense to show that Week 1 was just a wake-up call, and that they are fully capable of controlling games when it matters most.

Do you expect to see this Steelers' defense be able to bounce back in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.

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