T.J. Watt hopes for new role in 2025, starting in training camp

Watt has led the league in sacks three times and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting before earning his three-year, record-breaking deal.

T.J. Watt is the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. He’s schemed by other teams like it, too.

It’s no secret Watt draws significant attention to his side of the field. He’s frequently faced by a tight end chipping him and/or a running back stepping up to help impede his path to the quarterback.

On July 17, the Steelers announced they’d agreed with Watt on a three-year, $123 million deal, with $108 million guaranteed. The deal became official on Tuesday.

Already Pittsburgh’s all-time leading sack artist, one of the few critiques you could have of Watt’s game is how infrequently the Steelers move him around the formation, something we’ve seen many of Watt’s peers tasked with in recent years. Myles Garrett (Browns) and Micah Parsons (Cowboys) are two edge rushers who aren’t stationary to one side of the formation and frequently move around to find ideal matchups.

It’s something Watt’s noticed himself.

Watt mentioned during his 2024 season exit interview that he’d grown frustrated with how teams were scheming their protections around him, and at the defenses’ inability to counter it. It’s clear Watt likes going up against right tackles, and his quick first step remains his strongest weapon. Even in a “down” year, that quickness contributed to 11.5 sacks.

But it may have become too predictable for opposing offenses.

Early last season, Watt seemingly had Defensive Player of the Year in the bag. That campaign started to dim down the stretch, with Watt failing to record a sack in his final four games, including playoffs.

Watt hopes a new approach might remedy that.

“It’s about trying new things and moving around,” Watt said. “I’m sure you guys will see a good amount of that.”

While his rather static alignment may have contributed to his lack of success late in the year, the typical bumps and bruises throughout the season and Watt’s advancing age might have played their part too. Whatever the cause, Watt seems to believe that mixing in some variety in his alignment duties will help in 2025.

He expects to move around more this year, starting in training camp.

“That’s something that this time of year is perfect for, to move around, to get comfortable,” Watt told the media when the Steelers reported to camp on Wednesday. “It’s not about winning every rep and having to be on the left side and having to get everything mastered (on that side).”

The Steelers are the deepest they’ve been in years at outside linebacker. Nick Herbig totaled 5.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 13 games (five starts) and owns 8.5 sacks in two seasons. Ohio State 4-foot-4 rookie Jack Sawyer totaled 23 sacks as a Buckeye, including nine in his National Championship season.

“We have so much depth, especially at the outside linebacker position with Herb (Nick Herbig), who’s a more than capable pass rusher,” Watt said. “I’m sure we’ll have some cool packages and new stuff.”

Watt pointed to staying healthy, rotating more, and staying fresh and some important factors for the Steelers to avoid another collapse late in the season.

The Steelers allowed 299 yards rushing to the Baltimore Ravens and lost its last five games. Watt opted to not look back, but look ahead to the future and how the Steelers can structure practices and other factors to change their results in December and beyond.

Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. Watt has never won a postseason game. Watt won Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and has finished runner-up twice. His 108 sacks are the most in franchise history and has led the league in sacks three times, including a league-record tying 22.5 in 2021.

Watt will have the opportunity to sack his former quarterback, Justin Fields, and the New York Jets in Week 1 on Sept. 7 at MetLife Stadium.