Last season, Pittsburgh Steelers OLB T.J. Watt ranked second among EDGE rushers on ESPN’s list of the top-ten EDGE rushers as voted on by NFL coaches, scouts and executives. After a down year where his sack total fell from 11.5 to seven, Watt dropped to No. 7 on the list.

“Definitely in decline,” an AFC exec said. “He’s still very good. But some of the younger players have surpassed him.”

Watt finished just below Myles Garrett last season, who retained the top spot after breaking the NFL’s sack record. While Watt’s sack total dropped, he was still impactful. He also missed three games after suffering an injury due to a dry needling incident.

Even with his sack number lower than expected, Watt still had two interceptions, tying a career-high and remains one of the most-feared pass-rushers in the league. His season was disappointing coming off the heels of an extension that, at the time, reset the EDGE market, but Watt still made the Pro Bowl last year despite playing just 14 games.

As a whole, the Steelers’ EDGE trio of Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig is one of the NFL’s best, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him bounce back this season. One key change this season for Watt will be that he’s expected to move around more, which could help him return to form and once again fight for the NFL’s sack lead.

Highsmith and Herbig also cracked the list in the “others receiving votes” category

The five-time All-Pro could end up higher next season with a stronger season, and there’s little doubt that Watt is capable of reaching double-digit sacks once again in 2026, though one scout believes lower-body injuries have impacted his burst.

“He can win with his high motor and his flair for the big play, but the burst and get-off isn’t the same as it was as a result of lower-body injuries,” an NFL personnel evaluator said.

The hiring of Graham and the overall improvement of the defense should help, and ESPN’s list ranks Watt lower than some. Mark Schlereth ranked Watt the ninth-best non-quarterback in the league, and his overall body of work says he’s closer to that than where he ranked on this list.

There’s little doubt that Watt is motivated to once again be viewed as a truly elite pass-rusher and quiet any talk of his decline. That work has already started, and we’ll see how different Watt may end up being used when training camp begins at the end of the month.