When a football game goes as poorly as it did for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2, it's hard to come away with many positive takeaways. Mike Tomlin's team was manhandled in all three phases in the 31-17 blowout loss, and the defense has been under fire for its collective performance.
However, one rookie just had a breakout game against the Seattle Seahawks that is getting completely overshadowed by the team's overall incompetence in Week 2.
Jack Sawyer was called upon early and often after Alex Highsmith left the field with a high ankle sprain just 10 snaps into the game. Though the Steelers still had trouble putting consistent pressure on the quarterback (which seems to be a recurring theme), Sawyer was hardly the issue.
On just 26 defensive snaps, Sawyer showed that he was capable of getting involved in the play often. The 2025 fourth-round pick recorded six total tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack, and one quarterback hit while lining up all over the defensive formation.
Sawyer's play recognition resembled that of a five-year veteran, as he knew his responsibilities and executed. Because of this, Sawyer turned his Week 2 opportunities into a nearly identical PFF grade as superstar edge rusher T.J. Watt, per Pro Football Focus. Had he been given more snaps in this contest, there would have been room for his grade to climb further.
The Pittsburgh Steelers might already have a quality rotational edge rusher in Jack Sawyer
When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Jack Sawyer in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, I didn't have sky-high hopes for what he would become. I came away from my evaluation of his college tape at Ohio State aware of his limitations—that he's a bit stiff-hipped as a pass rusher and only an average athlete.
So far, Sawyer's limitations aren't holding him back. On the contrary, he's already exceeding expectations.
With Highsmith expected to be out for a few games with his high ankle sprain, Sawyer is in line to see his role on defense increase. This will be the ultimate test of whether he can handle duties as a true third edge rusher.
READ MORE: T.J. Watt’s Week 2 left Steelers fans stunned for the wrong reasons
So far, Sawyer has seen his snaps increase from 15 in Week 1 to 26 in Week 2. Now with Highsmith's injury, he'll quickly make his way north of 30 snaps per game.
Entering the season with T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig, nobody expected to see Sawyer play this many snaps early in the season or the results he's already been able to put up. The Pittsburgh Steelers need to figure things out on defense, but Jack Sawyer was one of the lone bright spots on the Steelers in their Week 2 loss to the Seahawks.