Steelers' TJ Watt Warned About Potential Bounce-Back Season: "He Better"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have to have a better season on defense in 2026. The organization still ranks near the top of the NFL when it comes to the entire payroll for a defensive unit, and finishing 27th in total defense in 2025 was an utter disappointment. The defense plagued the team at times, which was strange as it was usually the offense stalling out that slowed the team down in prior seasons. Pittsburgh's defense is full of notable names that have a ton of individual accolades, but there is no denying that the unit is aging. The production is not what it used to be, but hopefully a bounce-back season is in order for 2026.

The Steelers have a new defensive mind running the show with new Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham. He brings a fresh perspective and an innovative mind to Pittsburgh, which is refreshing considering how Mike Tomlin never seemed to want to change his defense. Graham changing things up and using players in different roles across the defense should lead to a better defensive performance, and that is something that the fans especially want to see out of star outside linebacker TJ Watt. He had a down year to his standards in 2025, just after signing a new extension.

Watt didn't produce like fans were accustomed to in 2025 as he recorded just seven sacks. That was disappointing after becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL for a brief period of time, and beat writer Gerry Dulac mentioned in a recent mailbag that the veteran better bounce back in a strong way in 2026.

"He better, or that monster deal he signed two years ago will look like a bad business decision," Dulac wrote.

Watt signed a three-year, $123 million extension with $108 million guaranteed. This made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league for a brief period, but he is still one of the highest-paid defenders in the NFL. His season in 2025 did not reflect his new contract in the slightest, and fans are desperate for him to get back to his old ways.

During the 2025 season, Watt recorded just seven sacks. However, he did contribute in other areas. He was always eating up blockers as he was consistently double-teamed and chipped, but he also recorded two interceptions, eight pass breakups, with three forced fumbles. He also had 10 tackles for loss. Those other statistics are very good, and it is also worth noting that he missed three games near the end of the regular season.

If Watt can just get his sack numbers back up into the double digits, the contract won't look as bad. If he can keep taking the ball away while finishing in the top 10 in the league in quarterback takedowns, his contract is easily justifiable.

Steelers Fans Can't Expect Too Much From TJ Watt

The fact of the matter is, Watt will be turning 32-years-old during the 2026 season. He is not getting any younger, and production almost always declines as a player gets older later in their careers. It is very unlikely that Watt gets back to recording around 20 sacks in a season, but 12 to 14 seems feasible, along with production in other areas. The veteran outside linebacker is going to be moving around the defensive formation more than ever before, and hopefully that will help when it comes to confusing opposing offenses and getting into the backfield.

Watt should be entering the 2026 season fully healthy, and fans would love to see him return to his old form.

What do you think about Dulac's comment? What will Watt do in the 2026 season? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

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