T.J. Watt is one of the best players in Pittsburgh Steelers history. He’s their all-time sack leader and will likely find himself in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day. However, he hasn’t been the same player in recent years. Watt only had seven sacks last year while looking like he was starting to slow down.

Despite that, Charlie Batch is confident that Watt will bounce back this season.

“I truly believe he’s going to have double-digit [sacks] this year,” Batch said recently on his Snap Count podcast. “Anytime that you come off a down season, and then everybody’s talking negatively about whether or not you’ve lost it or not, this is going to add fuel to the fire. Based off what I’ve seen in practice, this guy’s ready to rock and roll.”

Watt last had double-digit sacks in 2024 when he finished with 11.5. That was still a slightly quieter year, at least by Watt’s standard. He’s used to being near the top of the league in terms of sack totals. However, Watt slowed down as 2024 ended, only having two sacks in the Steelers’ final five games.

Watt hasn’t really looked like he did at the peak of his powers since 2023, when he finished with 19 sacks. Can he reach that level again?

It’s hard to say, but there are reasons for optimism. For example, the Steelers have a new defensive coordinator this year in Patrick Graham. Opposing teams were previously throwing a lot of schematics Watt’s way in an effort to slow him down. Graham’s system might be able to help Watt combat that.

There are already signs that Graham will use Watt differently than the Steelers previously did. The edge rusher has moved around the defense a lot in training camp. While the Steelers have talked about moving their edge rushers around for years, it looks like this is finally the year when they’re going to put their money where their mouth is.

The Steelers’ new defensive system could rejuvenate Watt. While he’ll turn 32 years old this year, other pass rushers have posted double-digit sack seasons in their 30s after having a few quiet years. That list includes J.J. Watt, Julius Peppers and Terrell Suggs.

Watt could be next up. Everything coming out of training camp sounds promising so far. Hopefully, Watt carries that momentum into the regular season.