Steelers' TJ Watt Will Have Yet Another Immense Change Ahead Of 2026 Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers will no longer allow edge rusher TJ Watt to play the same position and do the same thing over and over again. That has been part of the emphasis on positional flexibility that the new coaching staff has been highlighting ever since each individual was hired. In years past, Watt has exclusively been the left edge rusher outside of a handful of snaps here and there, and that level of predictability has been part of the reason that he has fallen out of the conversation as one of the best outside linebackers.

That's not going to be the only change to Watt's game in the 2026 season. In an excerpt on The Athletic, insider Mike DeFabo brought up another piece of Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham's unit that would change the role of the former Defensive Player of the Year.

"It also wouldn’t be surprising to see Watt drop into coverage a bit more than in years past, as Graham often utilizes simulated pressures to keep offenses off balance," DeFabo said.

Watt was drafted as an outside linebacker, and he played like someone in that position typically would in their first few years before focusing strictly on being an edge rusher. With Graham's defense, DeFabo predicts that the 31-year-old will go back to being an old-school traditional outside linebacker that has multiple different assignments, as opposed to just getting around the right tackle every snap. 

There are so many good things that can come from this decision. For starters, opposing offenses almost always make sure that there's four hands on Watt on every snap. If they anticipate him rushing and he backs off to play the shallow zone, it suddenly becomes an 11-on-9 game with the Steelers having the advantage due to the right tackle and tight end trying to figure out what to do without Watt rushing. 

That could lead to a takeaway as well, with someone like Nick Herbig screaming off the other edge, forcing a checkdown that Watt could read and intercept. He has proven that he can play very well in coverage, as he has racked up nine interceptions throughout his career despite primarily rushing the quarterback. He has dropped back into coverage and saved a touchdown via pick, and he has stolen many passes at the line of scrimmage.

Watt is an uber-talented player that makes every offense come up with a game plan specifically designed to stop him; that is not questioned in the slightest. However, the Steelers really haven't done anything to counter these player-specific plans, and it has led to underachievement defensively for the whole unit. With Graham's style of coaching, we could see a career revival for one of the best players of his generation.

Steelers Got Exposed All Throughout 2025

Opposing offenses were able to rack up tons of yards and points throughout the 2025 season with one strategy: don't let Watt ruin everything. They would intentionally design so many run plays to the other side of the field and run quick passes so the former Defensive Player of the Year couldn't do anything. That was a big reason why the Steelers finished near the bottom in many defensive metrics. 

With the sheer amount of talent on that side of the ball, being a bottom eight defense is completely unacceptable. That is the kind of performance that gets coaches fired, or in this case, helps them decide to retire and pursue something different. Hopefully, Graham can fix everything that was wrong with that aspect and truly bring the Steel Curtain back. To do so, it starts with getting Watt back on track.

What do you think about Watt likely playing coverage more often in 2026? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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