T.J. Watt during Wednesday's minicamp session on the South Side.
T.J. Watt has stayed on the left side of the defense very consistently over the years. That doesn't appear to be the case anymore.
In speaking with reporters after Wednesday's minicamp session at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Watt discussed how he's fought against moving around to different spots in the past and intends to be on the move much more under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
"I think in the past it was more about me being stubborn," Watt said. "I think this new system allows ... a lot of it is built in, so I really can't say no. I have to move with it. A lot of us are interchangeable parts. You're not just learning your position, you kind of have to learn the whole defensive front structure because we all are basically interchangeable. We can do different things. I think you're going to see a lot more movement of not just me, but the whole front."
Watt is entering a pretty pivotal season in his illustrious career. He's due $84 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons, but he's also coming off possibly the worst season of his career and will turn 32 in October.
One way to potentially get the most out of Watt is simply to reduce his workload. Last season, Watt averaged 57.9 snaps per game, the second-highest rate of his career. The only time he averaged more was when he was 25 years old in 2019 (58.4 snaps per game). Keeping him at a lower snap count would help him age better and remain fresher throughout games. And since 2022, Watt's snap count per game has increased each season. That trend likely needs to come to an end.
Perhaps even more important than that, Watt has generally played better when he's played a lower number of snaps per game. In his 2021 season in which he won Defensive Player of the Year, Watt averaged only 50.5 snaps per game, the lowest of his career except for his rookie season (2017) and the season in which he tore his pectoral muscle and was limited to 10 games (2022).
With Nick Herbig now earning more than $100 million over the next five seasons, the Steelers have to justify that contract, which likely means Watt will play fewer snaps.
At the same time, moving around and being less predictable could do wonders, too. Under Teryl Austin, the Steelers did not get a ton of unblocked pressures. In 2024, according to Matt Williamson, no defense ran fewer zone pressures than the Steelers in 2024, and no defense generated fewer unblocked pressures. That's because of a very static front that doesn't do much to confuse the opposing offense.
That's not to be expected from Graham, who has worked under the likes of Brian Flores, Steve Spagnuolo and Bill Belichick -- all of whom are known for exotic looks, blitzes, sim pressures, etc.
And Watt all but confirmed change is on the way -- in more ways than one.
"You don't see benches out here anymore," Watt said. "It's just interesting because there are two ways to skin a cat. There are many different ways to do things. We're just doing things much different than what I'm used to over the last nine years, and it's good. Change is good for me, really."
THE ASYLUM
Watt: 'Can't say no' to moving around
GREG MACAFEE / DKPS
T.J. Watt during Wednesday's minicamp session on the South Side.
T.J. Watt has stayed on the left side of the defense very consistently over the years. That doesn't appear to be the case anymore.
In speaking with reporters after Wednesday's minicamp session at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Watt discussed how he's fought against moving around to different spots in the past and intends to be on the move much more under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.
"I think in the past it was more about me being stubborn," Watt said. "I think this new system allows ... a lot of it is built in, so I really can't say no. I have to move with it. A lot of us are interchangeable parts. You're not just learning your position, you kind of have to learn the whole defensive front structure because we all are basically interchangeable. We can do different things. I think you're going to see a lot more movement of not just me, but the whole front."
Watt is entering a pretty pivotal season in his illustrious career. He's due $84 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons, but he's also coming off possibly the worst season of his career and will turn 32 in October.
One way to potentially get the most out of Watt is simply to reduce his workload. Last season, Watt averaged 57.9 snaps per game, the second-highest rate of his career. The only time he averaged more was when he was 25 years old in 2019 (58.4 snaps per game). Keeping him at a lower snap count would help him age better and remain fresher throughout games. And since 2022, Watt's snap count per game has increased each season. That trend likely needs to come to an end.
Perhaps even more important than that, Watt has generally played better when he's played a lower number of snaps per game. In his 2021 season in which he won Defensive Player of the Year, Watt averaged only 50.5 snaps per game, the lowest of his career except for his rookie season (2017) and the season in which he tore his pectoral muscle and was limited to 10 games (2022).
With Nick Herbig now earning more than $100 million over the next five seasons, the Steelers have to justify that contract, which likely means Watt will play fewer snaps.
At the same time, moving around and being less predictable could do wonders, too. Under Teryl Austin, the Steelers did not get a ton of unblocked pressures. In 2024, according to Matt Williamson, no defense ran fewer zone pressures than the Steelers in 2024, and no defense generated fewer unblocked pressures. That's because of a very static front that doesn't do much to confuse the opposing offense.
That's not to be expected from Graham, who has worked under the likes of Brian Flores, Steve Spagnuolo and Bill Belichick -- all of whom are known for exotic looks, blitzes, sim pressures, etc.
And Watt all but confirmed change is on the way -- in more ways than one.
"You don't see benches out here anymore," Watt said. "It's just interesting because there are two ways to skin a cat. There are many different ways to do things. We're just doing things much different than what I'm used to over the last nine years, and it's good. Change is good for me, really."
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