Whereas groups across the league have moved their high pass-rushers across the protection and allow them to play on each side, the Pittsburgh Steelers hardly ever swap OLBs T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Highsmith nearly at all times rushes from the fitting facet going up towards the left deal with and Watt the left towards the fitting deal with, however Watt was open to shifting round when talking to the media after the 2024 season. After OTAs on Thursday, Highsmith echoed those self same sentiments.
Highsmith mentioned he believes that groups had been catching on to Pittsburgh’s rush plan, and that if he and Watt are in a position to change sides, the Steelers will get opposing offenses “off-balance.”
“I feel that’s one thing that we undoubtedly have to incorporate within the recreation, as a result of groups had been form of catching on to what we had been doing, so if we’re in a position to transfer round to totally different spots and issues like that, we’ll be capable of get groups off-balance and you may’t simply sit there and max shield,” Highsmith mentioned through video posted to YouTube by Submit-Gazette Sports activities.
“I feel simply repping it in observe…get snug with what you’re uncomfortable at, whether or not that’s switching sides or working totally different rushes and stuff like that, we’re simply attempting to sharpen it in observe so we may be efficient day-to-day.”
Highsmith beforehand defined that he and Watt don’t change sides as a result of he’s extra snug on the fitting and Watt the left, however he did say he has some strikes that work higher on the fitting facet and a few which are higher on the left. Watt echoed that and mentioned enjoying on the fitting is like writing along with his reverse hand, and the consolation stage and success for every by no means actually made it crucial for them to change.
However Pittsburgh’s pass-rush stagnated towards the tip of final season, and Watt registered simply 11.5 sacks, his lowest whole in a full season since his rookie yr. With defenses extra in tune to what Watt and Highsmith are going to do and offensive tackles simply having to arrange for one and never each of them, Pittsburgh wasn’t in a position to get house and the protection as a complete struggled.
It might be a giant change for each Watt and Highsmith if the 2 wind up switching sides extra subsequent season. Final yr, Watt had simply 11 snaps on the fitting facet whereas Highsmith solely had 4 on the left. Highsmith did have 66 snaps on the left facet in 2022, enjoying the other facet extra usually with Watt lacking time on account of damage, however enjoying the other facet isn’t one thing both of them have numerous expertise at just lately.
As Alex Highsmith mentioned, although, the 2 may have loads of time in observe to rep it. Watt hasn’t been at voluntary OTAs via the primary three days but, however come necessary minicamp and coaching camp, it wouldn’t be stunning to see Watt and Highsmith work on switching sides greater than traditional to arrange to make it extra a part of their recreation plan in 2025.
