Hunting the quarterback is an art. And the Pittsburgh Steelers are known for their creativity in neutralizing the NFL’s biggest arms. Well, not in recent seasons. League executives, scouts, and coaches participated in a poll run by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. When the conversation veered towards edge rushers, fans were met with a harsh reality.Â
Sure, T.J. Watt was recognized as the seventh-best at his position. But his positioning was underneath a determined Houston Texans duo. Not just one player, but a pair of teammates.Â
That’s hard to ignore.Â
Will Anderson Jr. (No. 3) and Danielle Hunter (No. 6) were the only teammates to appear in Fowler's poll rankings. It’s impressive and more than deserved. In 2025, the tandem accounted for 27 sacks - seven more than Nick Herbig and Watt combined. The consistent disruption helped Houston reach the Divisional Round of the playoffs. It also knocked the Steelers out of the AFC postseason bracket.Â
They earned five quarterback hits and a game-ending fumble that closed the book on Pittsburgh’s season.Â
Omar Khan’s front office witnessed the difficulty of disrupting multiple elite pass rushers. An agreed-upon four-year, $100 million contract extension with Herbig ensured the franchise would have technicians on the roster for years to come.Â
But the question remains: When will Pittsburgh’s edge rusher's reclaim their dominance?Â
The Pittsburgh Steelers need all edge rushers on deck to experience a successful 2026 season
I do not believe they are far off, but there is considerable work to do. And it begins with T.J. Watt. Regardless of circumstance, the former All-Pro will be held responsible for Pittsburgh’s demise. He’s the best player on the field when healthy and borderline unstoppable.
In 2022, Watt earned 22.5 sacks in 15 games. He tied the NFL single-season sack record despite missing two games due to injury. He also led the league in tackles for loss (21) and quarterback hits (39), earning Defensive Player of the Year.Â
But a lot has changed since then. Watt’s experienced torn pectoral muscles, MCL sprains, a collapsed lung, and other minor injuries. Still, last season, Watt earned seven sacks in 14 games. He also spent his most time off the field since 2022. The real question is: can you blame him? The All- Pro is accumulating mileage and has started to wear down.Â
It’s clear Watt cannot achieve excellence alone. And he shouldn’t have to.Â
The Steelers have multiple defensive weapons to utilize against opponents. I expect Watt to lead the charge, but Alex Highsmith and Herbig should not be far behind. In 2025, both edge rushers accounted for more than seven sacks and stepped up in pivotal moments. Herbig’s seven forced fumbles during the last two campaigns are impressive, but he has failed to receive his due.Â
Receiving head nods for multiple defensive edge rushers on the NFL’s top rankings is an achievement. The Houston Texans have a formidable pass rush, but I believe the Steelers are not too far behind.
With Herbig, Highsmith, and Watt, the sky is the limit. I expect at least two of Pittsburgh’s quarterback hunters to earn recognition on the preseason rankings next year due to the havoc they cause in the near future. It should also lead to more success on the gridiron.
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