The Pittsburgh Steelers are accustomed to explosive performances from EDGE rusher T.J. Watt on defense. Still, fans and analysts notice a quieter, less dominant presence from the former Defensive Player of the Year this season.
Watt, who earns a hefty $30 million annually, has been unusually quiet in the sack department (12 in 2024), and his recent performance against the Washington Commanders added fuel to the conversation.
“Witness one pass defended, two quarterback hits, zero sacks, and zero tackles,” Mark Madden wrote in his recent TribLive column. “Sure, he’s being double-teamed and held a lot. Too bad. When you make $30 million, plays are required. Not excuses.”
Despite facing heavy blocking schemes designed to limit his impact, Watt’s production has noticeably dropped from his career-best standards. It leads Madden and others to question whether it’s time for him to vary his approach to avoid being too predictable. A defensive force like Watt is expected to find ways to adjust, especially as elite players adapt to changing coverage strategies against them.
The Steelers need Watt at his best as they push toward the playoffs. Whether he can regain his explosive impact and silence critics may be key to the Steelers’ defensive success this season. Fans are watching and waiting for their star to rise again.
