Watt is finally indicating a willingness to move around the line rather than always lining up from the same position (the QB's right side). He's still a great player, but he also had no sacks during the team's final four games and zero tackles and assists the last two. As a result he's coming under criticism from the media and DWFs, but being more flexible only makes sense. Snippet from an article:
Watt is the Steelers’ career leader in sacks with 108 over eight seasons. He played all 17 games for a second consecutive season in 2024, but his sack production (11 ½) lagged behind the five seasons of 13-or-more sacks Watt had put up previously.
The finalists for AP NFL defensive player of the year have not been announced yet but Watt could be a finalist (top three in the voting) for a fifth time. Despite an NFL-most six forced fumbles, it seems unlikely Watt will win the award for a second time. After being first-team All Pro edge defender in each of his past four full (or near-full) seasons, Watt was “only” second-team All Pro in honors announced Friday.
Watt on Monday referenced his — by his own standards — “down” season, and he signaled a heightened willingness to more often rush the passer from other spots on the defense. Traditionally, Watt has had a rigid tendency to rush from the quarterback’s right side (the left side of the defense).
“I prefer the left, but at this point in my career, I want to be an impact player,” Watt said. “I don’t want to be schemed out of games. I want to be able to deliver the football in good field positions or take the ball away. It wasn’t a good enough year for myself when it comes to that.”
T.J. Watt is quick to say he “hasn’t thought about” any of the specifics of a potential contract extension or when it might get agreed to over the now-started offseason. But the star outside linebacker — one of the best defensive players in the history of one of the NFL’s
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