The Pittsburgh Steelers are renowned for their rich history of elite defenses and standout defensive players, with the latest addition being edge rusher T.J. Watt. Last season, Watt led the race for the Defensive Player of the Year for much of the time, but his performance waned in the latter half, coinciding with the team’s five-game losing streak.
One contributing factor to Watt’s decline was the increased focus on him from opposing offenses, as tight ends and running backs began aiding offensive linemen in blocking him through chip tactics. In response, a Steelers insider has suggested that Watt may be willing to adjust his positioning, moving beyond his usual spot on the left side of the line. The Steelers have traditionally kept their edge rushers in fixed roles, but according to Mark Kaboly from the Pat McAfee Show, Watt seems to be considering a change. “Some of it has to do (Watt not wanting to) move,” Kaboly remarked on 93.7 The Fan. “But I think even he’s coming around saying, ‘This needs to happen now.’”
Fans have shared their thoughts on social media regarding this potential shift. One user tweeted, “This is the product of not having a legitimate DC…. who the hell is TJ Watt to dictate what he does or does not do to earn his millions? This is why Tomlin will forever be 9-8 and one and done…. Weak.” Another commented, “A real coach would have already moved him around, no matter how he felt about it.” Meanwhile, another fan expressed, “I’ve been saying TJ needs to be moved around for the past two years. He gets held or blocked on every play. The definition of insanity? The refs are never going to protect him.”
It will be intriguing to see how Watt and the Steelers adapt their strategy moving forward.
