The Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive identity has long been synonymous with aggressive, relentless pass rushing, with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith serving as the undisputed cornerstone duo. For years, this pair has terrorized NFL quarterbacks, establishing themselves as one of the league's most formidable edge-rushing tandems. However, the 2025 season revealed concerning cracks in this foundation, as both players appeared less dominant than in previous campaigns. The root cause appears to be a strategic limitation: the Steelers' reluctance to vary their defensive alignment, allowing opponents to systematically neutralize their impact through targeted schematics.
During a recent appearance on Jon Gruden's YouTube channel, Highsmith addressed this very issue, expressing optimism that the Steelers will implement more creative positioning for their star defenders in the upcoming 2026 season. His comments shed light on a recurring conversation within the organization—one that has yet to translate into consistent on-field execution, despite annual promises of change.
Static Alignment Creates Predictability
Highsmith candidly acknowledged the comfort zone that both he and Watt have established over the years. "Obviously, I'm more comfortable on the right, T.J.'s more comfortable on the left," he admitted. This preference, however, has become a double-edged sword. While it allows each player to master their respective positions and develop muscle memory, it simultaneously provides opposing offenses with a predictable blueprint to exploit week after week.
The edge rusher elaborated on the strategic disadvantage: "Teams are game planning, especially if we stay in the same spot." This observation points to a critical flaw in the Steelers' defensive approach. When elite pass rushers maintain fixed positions, offensive coordinators can design protection schemes specifically tailored to neutralize them. Chip blocks from running backs, sliding protections from the offensive line, and quick-release passing concepts can be deployed with surgical precision, effectively minimizing the defenders' disruptive potential and rendering them less impactful.
The statistics from 2025 support this assessment. Despite his reputation as a generational talent and former Defensive Player of the Year, Watt's production experienced a noticeable dip, registering just seven sacks across 14 games. While still performing at a high level overall, this represented a significant decline from his usual dominance and game-wrecking ability. Highsmith, meanwhile, posted a respectable 9.5 sacks in 13 games, but the overall impact of the duo felt diminished compared to previous seasons when they seemed to be everywhere at once.
The Three-Outside-Linebacker Experiment
The Steelers did attempt to innovate by incorporating a three-outside-linebacker package featuring Nick Herbig alongside Watt and Highsmith. This formation aimed to increase pressure by adding another athletic pass rusher to the mix, creating numerical advantages against the offense. However, the initiative faced significant setbacks due to injuries and inconsistent deployment.
All three linebackers dealt with various ailments throughout the season, which severely limited the package's effectiveness and frequency of use. When available, the trio showed promise and flashed potential, but their inconsistent presence prevented the formation from becoming a reliable solution. More importantly, this approach failed to address the fundamental issue: the need to move Watt and Highsmith around individually, rather than simply adding a third body to the field while keeping the stars in their familiar spots.
Highsmith recognized this limitation, stating, "I know we're gonna try and work that in more because teams are game planning." His comment suggests that the Steelers understand the need for evolution but have struggled to implement meaningful changes that fundamentally alter how opponents must prepare for them.
Versatility as the Key to Disruption
The solution, according to Highsmith, lies in embracing versatility and unpredictability. "I think we're gonna have some cool things cooking up, whether we switch sides," he revealed, hinting at a more dynamic approach for the 2026 campaign. The concept extends beyond simply flipping sides; Highsmith noted that he occasionally lined up inside during the previous season, demonstrating the potential for more exotic alignments that could confuse blocking schemes.
This versatility could manifest in several ways. Watt and Highsmith might swap sides based on specific matchups, exploit weaker offensive tackles, or create confusion through pre-snap movement and alignment changes. They could line up as interior rushers in obvious passing situations, forcing offenses to account for their presence in unconventional locations. The goal is to make protection schemes more complex and force opponents to prepare for multiple possibilities rather than focusing their resources on one spot.
However, Highsmith emphasized a crucial prerequisite for success: dedicated practice time. "We've gotta practice it more, too. If we practice it, we'll be more comfortable with it, instead of just going out there in the game and doing it." This admission reveals a potential gap between strategic intention and practical implementation. The Steelers may have discussed these concepts in meeting rooms but failed to dedicate sufficient repetitions in practice to master them and build the necessary comfort level.
Coaching Changes Bring New Hope
The 2026 offseason brought significant changes to the Steelers' coaching staff, most notably the arrival of Patrick Graham as defensive coordinator. Graham's reputation precedes him—he has consistently coaxed impressive performances from less talented defensive units in recent years, maximizing available resources through intelligent scheming. His track record suggests an ability to maximize player potential through creative deployment and situational football.
This coaching overhaul could be the catalyst for real change. While previous defensive staffs talked about moving Watt and Highsmith around, they never fully committed to the strategy or made it a core part of their identity. Graham's fresh perspective and proven ability to "do more with less" might finally unlock the full potential of a defense that underperformed relative to its talent level in 2025.
The Steelers have invested heavily in their defensive personnel, making last season's struggles particularly frustrating for the organization and fanbase. With a new coordinator at the helm, there is renewed optimism that the team will translate offseason promises into regular-season execution and results.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The conversation about moving Pittsburgh's star pass rushers is not new—it has resurfaced annually during the offseason, becoming something of a broken record. What makes this year potentially different is the confluence of factors: declining production, explicit player acknowledgment of the problem, and a revamped coaching staff committed to innovation and change.
For the Steelers to return to defensive dominance, they must evolve beyond their traditional approach and embrace modern NFL tactics. Watt has previously expressed willingness to move around the defense, eliminating any potential resistance from the team's biggest star and highest-paid defender. The pieces are in place for a strategic revolution that could reestablish Pittsburgh as a defensive juggernaut.
The success of this initiative will depend on three critical elements: commitment from the coaching staff, dedicated practice time, and flawless player execution. Highsmith's comments suggest the players are ready and willing to adapt. Now, it's up to Patrick Graham and the new defensive staff to design and implement a scheme that keeps opponents guessing and maximizes their elite talent.
If the Steelers can successfully deploy Watt and Highsmith in more versatile roles, they may once again become the disruptive force that has defined Pittsburgh football for generations. The potential is there—what remains to be seen is whether this offseason's promises will finally become next season's reality, or if this will be another year of unfulfilled potential and predictable defense.