Can a 31-Year-Old Former DPOY Get Back on Track with the 2026 Steelers?
Over his nine years in the Steel City, outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been a cornerstone for an elite Steelers defense. The 31-year-old is a three-time sack leader, as he’s been named to eight straight Pro Bowls, four First-Team All-Pros, and won the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year Award with a 22.5-sack season. Watt struck fear into the hearts of quarterbacks across the league, routinely terrorizing the AFC North. Every Sunday, it was expected to hit the superstar's signature leg kick celebration after each sack. Recently, however, Watt has seemingly lost a step. The former Wisconsin Badger still has all his moves, techniques, and routines, but that game-changing disruption doesn't seem to be there. Of his past four seasons, 2023 was the best one, as he recorded 19 sacks, 19 TFLs, and three fumble recoveries, one of which went for a touchdown. The Wisconsin native finished second in DPOY voting and earned his fourth first-team All-Pro honor. In 2022 and 2025, he missed time due to injury and finished with fewer than 10 sacks in both seasons. Even in 2024, when he led the league with six forced fumbles, his 11.5 sacks were the lowest since his rookie season, excluding 2022, when he had 5.5.
The three-time sack leader is clearly still appreciated by the NFL and its fans. He’s earned Pro Bowl honors even in seasons where he played poorly due to missed time. He’s recently been rated 93 overall in Madden 27, despite being nearly 32 years old and having a down year. That said, he’s also received heavy criticism from league analysts and former executives for his massive contract extension, which currently carries a $41 million per-season price tag. His age, declining play, and obscene contract have many wondering if he’s nearing the end of a long and successful career. A career that has yet to produce playoff success. It would be a lot to expect Watt to return to his 20-sack season state, but under a new coaching staff and defensive coordinator in Patrick Graham, the six-foot-four edge rusher may have more gas left in the tank than he’s given credit for. One place where the star excels is in third- or fourth-down-and-long situations, meaning the opposing offense has seven or more yards to go. Of the past five seasons, his worst pressure rate came in 2022, and he still had an 8.9% pressure rate in those moments. 2021 and 2023 were the best, each having a 14.7% pressure rate. If Pittsburgh’s defensive line can improve in stopping the run, which should be no problem as new defensive line coach Domata Peko is excited to work with some of the young guys like Yahya Black and Derrick Harmon, Watt can wreak havoc in these long-yardage situations.
One area that will almost certainly improve under McCarthy and Graham is Watt’s coverage numbers. The big-bodied edge rusher dropped into coverage on 9.1% of his plays, which is a massive increase from 2024, when it was just 4.8%. Pittsburgh would routinely blitz an inside linebacker or defensive back while an outside linebacker dropped into coverage. In these blitz moments, he saw similar results, dropping into coverage on 8.9% of snaps. There have already been reports from Watt himself that he’s being moved around more in the Steel City's new schemes. The 31-year-old admitted he was “a bit stubborn” over the years, but is embracing the changes that come with this new system and staff. If Watt can be utilized correctly on both sides of the defensive line and rush from the quarterback's blindside and eyeline, it only increases his chances of making a play. Something that will definitely help the linebacker is the extension of Nick Herbig, as his snap count can be reduced. While Steelers fans may not want to admit it, the former DPOY's age is a concern, and limiting his wear and tear is a necessity. A lot has to happen for Watt to return to his league-altering state, but under a new scheme, hopefully full of rejuvenation, he can become a superstar again.
