T.J. Watt Faces Decline as Steelers Explore Future Options

PITTSBURGH — As the 2025 season approaches, ESPN analyst Mike Clay predicts a drop in T.J. Watt‘s performance for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following a challenging finish to the 2024 campaign, Clay believes Watt will finish the year with 60 tackles and 10.1 sacks, which raises concerns about his overall production.

Watt, who was a finalist for the AP Defensive Player of the Year last season, struggled in the final weeks, failing to record a sack or forced fumble in four out of five games. Despite leading the league with six forced fumbles, his performance fell short with 11.5 sacks overall. Clay’s projections suggest Watt would achieve a sack approximately every 90.495 snaps, potentially marking his third-lowest rate of his career.

At age 30, Watt remains a formidable force in the league, but his impending contract talks could impact his future performance. The Steelers have not yet resolved his contract situation as he enters the final year of his current agreement, raising questions about a possible deal that would exceed Myles Garrett‘s contract with the Cleveland Browns.

In another part of the Steelers’ future considerations, former player Ryan Clark has suggested the team might consider ‘tanking’ to secure a better draft position for quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Clark argues that despite the Steelers’ historical success and leadership under Coach Mike Tomlin, the need for a franchise quarterback is pressing as the team has not won a playoff game since 2016.

The Steelers’ recent draft choices did not resolve their quarterback issues, and there is skepticism about whether any current option, including a potential stopgap, can lead the franchise forward. As the team navigates these challenges, Watt’s performance and contract status remain key topics for fans and analysts.