T.J. Watt indicates readiness to play both sides for Steelers: “You’re going to see us move around”

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt is leaning into a role shift that starts with where he lines up. Watt said he is embracing the chance to play “both sides,” adding that the defense expects to move around more as it looks to create favorable matchups.

In the conversation, Watt’s framing was simple: he has historically played mostly on the left side, and he acknowledged that his right-side workload was minimal last season. According to the report, Watt took only 10 snaps on the right side in 2025, a detail that underscores how the Steelers have used positional identity to maximize each player’s strengths.

The left-right split matters because Steelers edge-rushing roles often carry different responsibilities. Even when the defense stays in the same base formation, the side the edge defender attacks can affect the path to the quarterback, the angle into the tackle box, and how the player times interior help. Watt’s willingness to play on both sides suggests Pittsburgh is trying to keep its front from becoming predictable.

Watt also pointed to personnel as part of that adjustment. The report notes that when Watt was not playing the right side, that spot largely belonged to Alex Highsmith. That positioning detail points to a core tension many defenses face: balancing specialized reps for their best fits with the need to vary the looks against different offensive schemes.

For Pittsburgh, the strategic value of “moving around” is not just about comfort. A more fluid edge rotation can complicate offensive line assignments and pass-protection planning, especially when a defense can alternate who is setting the edge or who is initiating pressure from different angles. It can also allow the Steelers to keep both edges involved without forcing one player to accept the entire workload.

Still, the immediate takeaway is not that Watt is abandoning his primary role. The report emphasizes that he has played mostly left, and the shift described appears tied to opportunity rather than replacement. What changes, in this view, is the willingness to deploy him on either side depending on the matchup and the defensive plan for a given opponent.

Going forward, Steelers fans will be watching how often the team actually uses Watt rightward in live-game situations and whether that movement is paired with other adjustments in the front. The most telling indicators will be the distribution of edge snaps by side and how the Steelers sustain pressure across different formations, rather than any single positional headline in training camp or the preseason.