Let me start by saying—yes, it’s an honor for any Pittsburgh Steelers' player to be ranked among the NFL’s Top 100 players.
Recognition matters.
But ranking T.J. Watt at No. 27 on Pro Football Sports Network’s list feels like more than a slight. It feels like a dismissal of who he is and what he’s done for the Steelers franchise.
The stats they shared speak volumes.
Watt led the league with six forced fumbles, posted 11.5 sacks (eighth in the NFL), 53 pressures, and 39 defensive stops. Those aren’t pedestrian numbers—they’re elite.
Yet somehow, players like Aidan Hutchinson (22), Trey Hendrickson (19), Micah Parsons (16), and Myles Garrett (5) all sit above him. No knock on those guys—they’re great talents.
But Watt’s résumé demands respect that the 27th just doesn’t offer.
Let’s be real—T.J. Watt isn’t just another edge rusher. He is the Steelers’ defense. His motor doesn’t stop. He’s the emotional and physical leader of a unit that has consistently bailed Pittsburgh out of games their offense couldn’t close.
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You feel his presence every snap. He alters game plans and offensive protections week in and week out. That kind of impact doesn’t show up in every stat sheet, but it’s known throughout the league.
PFSN said they factored in injuries and projected impact beyond 2025. I get that.
Watt dealt with injuries in 2024, but even then, he remained one of the most disruptive players in the league.
To penalize him for playing through adversity while still producing at a Pro Bowl level feels disingenuous.
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When healthy, Watt is on the shortlist for Defensive Player of the Year every single season. He’s the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL for a reason.
He’s not just valuable—he’s irreplaceable. And frankly, that should carry more weight than projection-based algorithms or recent trends.
So yes, I appreciate the nod. But T.J. Watt at 27? That’s not recognition—it’s underestimation.
The Steelers have built their modern defensive identity around No. 90. And if you’re forecasting who will define their team’s success in 2025 and beyond, there’s no doubt T.J. Watt belongs in the Top 10.