For the Pittsburgh Steelers’ outside linebackers, strength comes in numbers. T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig are all capable starters but will need to share playing time. Exactly how those snaps are divvied up will be a storyline to watch.
Herbig, fresh off a contract extension this offseason, will vie for reps against veterans at a much different point in their careers, especially Watt. At age 31 and coming off a mere seven sack season, concern over if Watt is still at the top of his game is becoming more common. Steelers beat writer and insider Mark Kaboly believes that a return to form for Watt will come from relying on his teammates, and from a new coaching staff willing to make it so.
“Nobody on the defense has an attachment to him like the Tomlins and the guys before him and the Teryl Austins,” Kaboly said Friday on 93.7 The Fan’s PM Team. “So if he says, ‘I’m playing,’ Tomlin would be like, ‘Yeah, hey, you’re TJ Watt.’ Now these guys are like, ‘Hey, we’re doing what’s best for the team.’ That might get across more than him having his own choice of when to come in and come out.
“I don’t think he can play ninety percent of the snaps. If you can somehow get a happy number between the top three, I think that benefits the entire defense. I think you have to make him know that he’s not 26 anymore.”
With a new head coach and defensive coordinator, there’s a blank slate for the coaching staff to design a defense and split playing time based on strategy and performance rather than loyalties and history. That could mean that if Watt isn’t performing to his previous standard, his playing time will suffer.
It’s hard to move on from a legend, and while the Steelers have stuck with Watt, a new coaching staff might be the perfect recipe for a change to the status quo. Last season, Watt played in 14 games and logged 82 percent of defensive snaps in those games. Highsmith played 72 percent of the snaps in the 13 games that he suited up for while Herbig dressed for 15 games and played 60 percent of the time.
Given Pittsburgh’s investment in Herbig, it would stand to reason that he can expect to see an increased workload in 2026. This likely means that Watt’s percentage of snaps will take a dip, which may be a blessing in disguise if it means Watt can stay fresh.
Having three capable and productive pass rushers, plus Jack Sawyer entering his sophomore season, would allow the Steelers’ defense to unlock their true potential. So much of what had made Pittsburgh’s defense successful historically is being able to generate pressure. From there, the rest of the defensive jobs get easier.
Injuries will be one of the major questions facing this position group. Watt and Highsmith in particular have seen their fair share of injuries in recent seasons. If the trio struggles to stay healthy this season, it may throw a curveball that could prevent a true rotation to keep all involved fresh.
Watt has earned the benefit of the doubt. But a trio of relentless pass rushers will have benefits for not only Watt, but the rest of the unit. The Steelers have provided Watt with talent around him that can make his job easier. Now, he just needs to embrace the changes.
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