Steelers Facing Tough Questions About T.J. Watt’s Production Amid Defensive Struggles
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long leaned on T.J. Watt to set the tone on defense.
He’s been the heartbeat of their pass rush, the kind of player who can take over a game with a single snap. But as the 2025 season rolls into its final stretch, the numbers-and the tape-are starting to tell a different story.
In Sunday’s 26-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, Watt was a non-factor. According to NextGenStats, he recorded just one pressure-and that came on a play where he wasn’t even blocked.
It marked the fifth time this season Watt has logged two or fewer pressures in a game. For a player of his caliber, that’s not just surprising-it’s concerning.
This isn’t just about one off day. Watt, now 31, is in the first year of a massive three-year, $123 million extension that pays him an average of $41 million per season.
It’s a deal that made him one of the highest-paid defenders in NFL history. And based on what he’s done over the past few seasons, the investment made sense at the time.
From 2023 to 2024, Watt was a force of nature-129 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, five recoveries, 12 passes defensed, and a pick. That’s the kind of stat line that doesn’t just earn you All-Pro nods-it cements your legacy.
But this year, the production hasn’t matched the paycheck. Outside of his rookie campaign and an injury-shortened 2022, this is shaping up to be the least impactful season of his career.
So what’s going on?
There’s no clear-cut answer yet. Maybe it’s age.
Maybe it’s scheme. Maybe it’s just a cold stretch that every great player hits at some point.
But for a Steelers team that’s built its identity around defense-and invested heavily in Watt to be the cornerstone of that identity-it’s a situation that demands attention.
And here’s where things get tricky: Watt’s contract is fully guaranteed through 2027. That includes a $40 million signing bonus, a $4 million base salary this season, and $32 million base salaries in both 2026 and 2027.
There’s also a $15 million roster bonus due in 2028, plus a $21.05 million base salary that year. That’s a lot of money locked in for a player who, right now, isn’t producing at the level the Steelers need.
Unless Watt agrees to restructure his deal or the team explores a trade-which would be complicated given the financials-Pittsburgh is tied to him for the foreseeable future. And to be clear, no one’s writing off Watt’s career. He’s a former Defensive Player of the Year, a relentless competitor, and still one of the most respected voices in that locker room.
But the clock is ticking. If the Steelers want to get back to playing the kind of hard-nosed, dominant defense that’s been their trademark for decades, they need their defensive anchor to rediscover his form. Whether that’s through scheme adjustments, rest, or just a renewed spark, something has to give.
Watt’s career numbers are still elite-509 tackles, 115 sacks, 36 forced fumbles, 14 recoveries, 57 passes defensed, and eight interceptions. That résumé speaks for itself.
But the NFL is a “what have you done for me lately” league. And lately, Watt hasn’t been the game-wrecker Pittsburgh is paying him to be.
There’s still time to flip the script. But if this version of Watt is here to stay, the Steelers will have some tough decisions ahead.