Is a less-is-more approach with T.J. Watt the best for both the player and the Steelers? Ray Fittipaldo thinks so, espousing that theory this week. Going into his 10th season, Watt certainly has some wear and tear at this juncture. But with Pittsburgh boasting a deep outside linebacker room, should they be leaning more on their depth?
“I think it would be smart. And if those other guys perform, I think that’s probably gonna be a good tactic”, Fittipaldo said of managing T.J. Watt’s snaps on 93.7 The Fan. “Especially as he gets older. He’s under contract for more seasons beyond this year. I think they want to try to extend his playing life as much as possible, get as much out of that contract as they can. And if he does play fewer snaps, maybe a little bit less production, but he’s more of a factor when it counts”.
Just last year, the Steelers signed Watt to a three-year, $123 million contract extension. That deal consists mostly of guaranteed money, so they’re stuck with him, financially, through at least the 2027 season. His contract runs through 2028, in which season he has no guaranteed money remaining.
T.J. Watt had his worst season statistically a year ago, except for his injury-plagued year in 2022. He returned from that campaign to record 19 sacks, but he was 29 years old at the time. During the 2026 season, he will turn 32, coming off a 7-sack season.
Meanwhile, the Steelers have other pass rushers, and they just paid another. Fittipaldo believes it behooves them to figure out how best to manage the room in such a way that works for all. And what works for Watt, he believes, is reducing his workload. He still has elite talent, but clearly things have shifted in the past two years.
“A lot of that’s gonna be up to Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig”, he insisted. “And then Herbig is kind of like the young T.J. Watt. He’s the playmaker, he forces fumbles, he gets his hands on the ball … I think there are plenty of opportunities to take some snaps away from T.J. [Watt]”.
Highsmith led the Steelers last season with 9.6 sacks, despite missing four games. Herbig, still playing rotationally, barring injury, recorded 7.5 sacks in 15 games. By the time of his freak lung injury late in the season, Watt was up to 7 sacks, but there he remained. He missed three games, returning for the season finale, a rather uneventful outing.
The Steelers have spent years investing in their outside linebacker pipeline. As Watt recedes into the back end of his career, it would be prudent now to make use of it. That includes Jack Sawyer, a 2025 fourth-round pick who could contribute as well. A stout run defender, he still has upside as a pass rusher as well.
The question is, can the Steelers help Watt play more like Watt by maximizing his opportunities? Not just by reducing his workload and prioritizing his snaps, but also by scheming him into situations in which he can take advantage? For a man who considers his position to be that of Game Wrecker, they need him to make difference-making plays.
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