Steelers' Legendary Lineman Gives TJ Watt A Blueprint To Return To Dominant Form

The Pittsburgh Steelers are needing a big change from star edge rusher TJ Watt in 2026. In 2025, Watt wasn't that elite edge rusher that he had been in years prior, which left many questioning his abilities in his 30s. For his price, the Steelers desperately need him to return to his elite form of giving Pittsburgh over double-digit totals in sacks. 

It could have very well been injury related in 2025, but seven sacks is not enough. The defense is very reliant on Watt to take attention away from other players while also making some major splash plays. Getting him back to that form will do wonders for the team and there may be a blueprint for Watt to follow to get back to that form.

That is following what Steelers legend Joe Greene did back in the 1970s. When he started to regress with age, his sack numbers started to trickle down. He had to learn different ways to blow past the offensive line and get to the quarterback.

Steelers insider Christopher Carter explained on the Locked on Steelers podcast why Watt may need to follow this blueprint to get back to his dominant form. It's not a cookie cutter plan, but with what Pittsburgh needed Greene to do, is exactly what Watt needs to do now. He needs to find a way to deepen his game, opening up new ways to be the main character on defense.  

"[Greene] was the face of the Steelers' Steel Curtain defensive line," Carter stated. "But when he got older, he had to adjust and he did. He learned more finesse moves. He learned things that started new trends in the NFL and that's what TJ Watt has to do right now. I don't know about setting trends, but if he can learn how to do a few things a few different ways, learn the benefits of lining up in different spots, find different things that works for him... That's the kind of stuff that I think can put Watt and kind of show the rest of the NFL, oh no, he's still one of those top five edge rushers."

That will be the most important thing for Watt to work on in training camp. He may not get the chance to try it in the preseason, but while he's acclimating to the season, trying as many new ways to get off the ball and past the tight end and tackle will add new tricks up his sleeve. 

What Greene played against is a completely different era of football. The league has grown and changed over time, so there is a different type of game being played, but the point Carter was making is that Watt needs to figure out new ways to improve his game. 

Pittsburgh cannot afford another season where Watt isn't overpowering on defense. Other players in the front seven will also take steps forward if Watt can return to his elite form. It will take pressure off of Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, players often lined up on the other side of Watt. 

Pittsburgh doesn't need Watt to give them a defensive player of the year type of season, although that would help. What they need is for him to just move forward from last season, give them 13-15ish sacks and force multiple fumbles. Just a little improvement to give this defense a better chance to keep points off the board.

Steelers' Need Watt To Bounce Back.

If Watt brings Steelers an above average season back, then this team has a great chance to finally win that playoff game and more. They are very close offensively and now this highly paid defense needs to turn a corner. Watt turning things around will play a huge factor in this defense fulfilling expectations in 2026 under new Head Coach Mike McCarthy. 

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