Watt Steelers
Watt Steelers
While T.J. Watt took a drop from No. 2 to No. 7 in ESPN’s list of the top EDGE rushers as ranked by scouts, coaches and executives, it’s clear that NFL decision makers still believe Watt is one of the best in the game at his position. That was made more evident in The Athletic’s polling of NFL decision makers, which includes “general managers, high-ranking executives, head coaches, coordinators and other coaches.”
In that poll, Watt was ranked as the fourth-best defensive closer in the league, receiving three votes. He finished behind Myles Garrett, Will Anderson Jr. and T.J. Watt.
While closer is a more traditional term/role in baseball, the football term refers to a player who can make a big play to put the game away. Whether that’s forcing a turnover or putting pressure on the quarterback to force him into an incompletion, NFL decision makers believe Watt is up there with the best of them.
One coach said it feels like Watt is always the one to make an explosive play for the Steelers when things are going well.
“They always make an explosive play when they’re rolling, and T.J. Watt is the guy who always did it,” a coach told Jeff Howe. “It’s incredible.”
Watt has made plenty of clutch plays for the Steelers, and they’ve needed all of them. Defense has led the way for the Steelers over the past few seasons, and Watt finishing games with a sack or strip sack is a sight that Steelers fans are quite familiar with.
While his production dipped in 2025, Watt is going to be used differently in Patrick Graham’s new defense. There’s a real chance that will energize Watt and the guys around him for a bounce-back year.
Watt can prove that he’s still a premier pass-rusher, and the Steelers very well could be the NFL’s best team at getting after the passer with Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig along with Cameron Heyward and upside from Derrick Harmon and Keeanu Benton.
It would be nice to see Watt close out a few wins for the Steelers this season. Frankly, putting him at fourth on this list might be too low given just how many times Watt has made a big play in a big moment that sparked a Steelers win. But Watt has to prove he’s still among the best after a few down years. He’ll have every chance to do so this season.