For a month-long stretch, T.J. Watt appeared mortal. Held with out a sack in his ultimate 4 video games of the common season and playoffs, Watt completed 2024 with low numbers in comparison with his lofty requirements. Beat author Ray Fittipaldo outlined how Watt can return to his normal numbers this season.
“[Watt] was speaking about was shifting across the protection,” Fittipaldo instructed WMBS’ George Von Benko throughout a Saturday interview. “Not simply enjoying left outdoors linebacker. He mentioned he’s open to enjoying on the fitting aspect extra. He’s all the time been deferential to Alex Highsmith as a result of that’s the place Alex performs, however he mentioned he’s gonna be open to shifting to the fitting aspect and shifting across the protection.”
Watt’s earlier insistence on enjoying on the left aspect was much less about deferring to Highsmith and extra about his personal desire. Watt has been on document preferring to play the left aspect. He moved there for his second NFL season and his numbers exploded, turning into one of many league’s prime move rushers. Watt has indicated he’s extra snug and more practical at left outdoors linebacker.
However with that effectiveness sapped down the stretch final season, Watt’s thoughts has modified. Extra schematic creativity to free him up will convey his elite numbers again to life.
“That’s the primary factor,” Fittipaldo mentioned. “The Steelers have to determine a approach to get him away from double groups, chips by tight ends, chips by operating backs. And if they’ll try this, I believe you’ll see his sack numbers go up.”
No query, the Steelers want to look at why Watt and the remainder of the protection light in 2024. However shifting him to the opposite aspect isn’t the cure-all. Neither is it essentially even the reply. Watt has constructed a Corridor of Fame profession enjoying from the left aspect the place every week the opposition is aware of the place he’ll align.
Pittsburgh must free him up, however the focus ought to be doing that from his main place as an alternative of flipping sides. That may imply extra stunts, blitzes, and sim-pressure seems to be to stop blocking schemes from turning all consideration to Watt. Or, as a minimum, make them pay the worth for doing so. Improved run protection can even create higher and extra frequent rush alternatives.
Whatever the group’s plan, Watt must return to his 15-plus sack methods to make his huge contract price it.
