Why Has T.J Watt Declined In 2025?

Photo Credit: Alysa Rubin/Pittsburgh Steelers

After signing one of the largest non-quarterback contracts in NFL history this offseason, former All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt entered the 2025 campaign with heavy expectations—and rightfully so.

The deal was intended to cement his status as the face of the Steelers’ defense, but so far his production has not matched the price tag. He is on pace to register one of the lowest sack totals of his career, and his impact has been muted in games like the recent loss to Buffalo, where he recorded two or fewer quarterback pressures for the fifth time this season. For a player who built his reputation on relentless disruption, the numbers tell a different story this year.

Much of the issue lies in the broader struggles of the Steelers’ defense. Despite being the most expensive unit in the league, it has underperformed badly. Their inability to stop the run has left Watt with fewer opportunities to do what he does best—attack the quarterback.

In their Week 13 loss to the Bills, the Steelers surrendered 249 rushing yards at home, one of their worst defensive showings in recent memory. When the run defense collapses, Watt is often forced into containment duty rather than being unleashed off the edge. That shift in responsibility has had a direct impact on his sack totals and overall visibility.

Opposing offenses have also found ways to neutralize him at the line of scrimmage. Watt is facing heavy double-teams, quick-release passing games, and run-heavy approaches designed to disrupt his pass rush. On top of that, no pass rusher in the NFL is chipped as frequently as Watt (32.74%), with his contemporary, Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, ranking second at 26.16%. The fact that the Steelers have not found ways to move Watt around and put him in positions to maximize his skill set is, in essence, an indictment of coordinator Teryl Austin’s defensive schemes.

Age is another factor, though not the defining one. At 31, Watt is not past his prime, but edge rushers often see a dip in explosiveness in their early 30s. Combined with heavy usage and constant attention from blockers, his margin for dominance has narrowed. He remains a disruptive force, but the difference between being good and being great at this stage of his career is razor-thin.

Speaking of Garrett, his historic production makes Watt’s quieter season look even more disappointing, especially given the contract numbers attached to his name. Unfortunately for Watt, his struggles are less about decline and more about circumstance: a faltering defensive scheme, opponents tailoring their game plans to him, and the natural wear of age.

Is he still capable of making big plays? The answer is yes, and we saw flashes of his old self in Week 4 against the Vikings. But the real question is whether he can still deliver those game-breaking moments on a consistent basis, the kind that once defined his career. The reality may be that those days have passed him by, leaving him as a player whose impact no longer matches the massive investment the Steelers made.