Steelers' Controversial Use Of TJ Watt Might Not Be Entirely A Coaching Decision

Heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers' matchup against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12, edge rushing phenom TJ Watt was expected to have a massive game. The media predicted that Watt would rack up multiple sacks on Jameis Winston. However, Watt ended up being virtually non-existent. This led to him being trolled by arch-nemesis Myles Garrett and the Browns fan base. 

However, it raised a question about Watt and his production this year. For most of the season, he has been considered a front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), but now people wonder if he has lost any shot at that award. Watt won DPOY in 2021 and has been a finalist four other times. Garrett won for the first time in 2023, and Watt made no secret that he felt snubbed. That meant that in a game where two such talented players would showcase their game-wrecking abilities, it felt like a head-to-head competition, and Garrett came out on top. He had three sacks, while Watt had none. 

It is no secret that teams have been planning how to handle Watt all season. He is frequently double and triple-teamed and held without a call, which leads many to believe that Watt needs to be utilized differently to make him more impactful. Recently, 93.7 The Fan Morning Show host Adam Crowley asked Mark Kaboly from The Pat McAfee Show how concerned he is about the defense and Watt. 

Kaboly said he isn't "overly concerned," but believes they must make some adjustments. He said the Steelers are showing they cannot get to the quarterback with only four guys. The offenses have adjusted to what they do and get the ball out faster than the edge rushers can get there. Crowley said it was shocking how much more the Browns move Garrett around than the Steelers do with Watt. Kaboly said he doesn't think that it is necessarily the coaches that are the holdup.  

"I don't know how much he wants to do that," said Kaboly. "I think partially it has to do with him. You remember his rookie year, he was on the other side, didn't really like it, they flipped him and [Bud] Dupree and then all of a sudden he took off. But at this point, you're going to have to do something a little different. I guarantee you if you asked Teryl Austin, he'll be like, 'Oh, we move him around.' Yeah you move him around two or three times a game, if that."

Kaboly said there are some outside linebackers in the league who, if they like the matchup, will move all around. He added that Cameron Heyward used to do this with the inside guys to get the most advantageous matchup. 

While he doesn't think Watt is keen on the idea, he also believes that the coaches are concerned that if that switch gets picked up, it can open up quick, deep plays and easy scoring opportunities. He said the defense just believes that teams can't drive down and score on them, so they continue to run a conservative defense. 

The Return Of Steelers' Alex Highsmith Is Critical

Watt's partner on the outside, Alex Highsmith, has been out with an ankle injury. While he has missed a few games, the hope is that he will return soon, possibly even for the Week 13 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Highsmith is definitely a difference-maker, having gotten better and better as he has been in the league. When teams focus all of their energy on Watt, it frees up Highsmith to wreak havoc. While Nick Herbig has done a commendable job filling in for him, no one can replace him. Kaboly expects the defense to improve substantially when Highsmith returns. 

What do you think the Steelers should do to make Watt more effective? Click to comment below. 

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