The Pittsburgh Steelers have begun their exit meetings, and one of the most important players they’ll be discussing is Outside Linebacker T.J. Watt. Watt, an eight-year veteran, had a solid season, but not quite up to his usual standards ¹.
Watt led the league with six forced fumbles, but only recorded 11.5 sacks, his lowest total in a healthy season since his rookie year in 2017. This dip in production has raised some concerns about Watt’s future with the team. Despite this, Watt remains one of the Steelers’ most valuable players, and his work ethic and dedication to improving are unquestionable.
In fact, Watt has already begun thinking about how he can improve next season. He’s acknowledged that teams were scheming to shut him out of games more than ever this past season, and he’s looking for ways to counter that. One possibility is for Watt to move around the formation more, creating mismatches and exploiting weaknesses in opposing teams’ defenses ¹.
The Steelers’ coaching staff will likely be discussing these possibilities with Watt during their exit meetings. They’ll also be evaluating Watt’s performance and determining how he fits into their plans for next season.
As the Steelers look to the future, they’ll need to decide whether to extend Watt’s contract or explore other options at outside linebacker. Watt will turn 31 next season, and while he’s still playing at a high level, the Steelers may be hesitant to commit to a long-term deal.
Despite these uncertainties, one thing is clear: T.J. Watt remains a vital part of the Steelers’ defense, and they’ll need him to be at his best if they hope to compete for a championship next season.
What’s Next for the Steelers
The Steelers have several key decisions to make this offseason, including:
Determining the future of their quarterback position: The Steelers don’t have any of their three quarterbacks from 2024 under contract for the 2025 season.
Addressing their defensive needs: The Steelers may look to add depth to their defensive line and secondary through free agency or the draft.
Re-signing key players: The Steelers will need to decide whether to re-sign players like Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick ².
These decisions will shape the Steelers’ roster for next season and beyond. As the team looks to the future, they’ll need to balance their short-term needs with their long-term goals.
