The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that is long known for their ability to get after the quarterback and terrorize opposing offenses off of the edge. That has been a key part of their success on defense for the majority of their history. That'll be key yet again in 2024, as TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith will be asked to continue their high level of success they've had over the past four seasons as running mates.
While the tag team of Watt and Highsmith is one of the best in the league, if not the best, Watt is clearly the top dog as the former AP Defensive Player of the Year is regularly talked about as the best player in the league on the defensive side of the ball. After tying the NFL single-season sack record with 22.5 during the 2021-22 season, I don't think anyone really refutes that he deserves the praise he receives.
Should Watt continue on this path of top of the league play for another couple seasons, there is no doubt he will be discussed as possibly the best Steelers defensive player of all-time. He is already the team's all-time sack leader, and that mark is already 16 above the two tied for second. Those two are Cameron Heyward, who will hopefully still be adding to his total this season, and James Harrison. Both currently sit at 80.5 sacks.
With Harrison already being 16 sacks behind Watt, and Watt likely to add several more to make that gap significantly wider, Watt will very likely go down in Steelers history as having a much better career than Harrison. However, despite the 16-sack gap in their respective careers, is Watt already better than Harrison, and if so, how wide is the gap between the two?
That question is something that insider Brian Batko addressed during a recent episode of the North Shore Drive Podcast. He mentioned the gap isn't likely very big between the two, especially considering the gap in sacks is already quickly growing, which could skew some perceptions of them both.
"Harrison and Watt. T.J.'s run here is basically unparalleled in NFL history, what he has been doing. When Deebo [Harrison] was at the top of his game, there is a reason they called him Deebo, the Silverback. He was unblockable. I think the margin between those two is not as large as maybe the pure sack numbers would indicate. Just anecdotally, we got 17 games now, so that inflates things more for guys playing now statistically. T.J.'s missed time too, due to health, so have to factor that in too. I think also, more passing in the league too, even when those guys [Harrison] were playing."
There could definitely be an argument to be made that Watt has had some inflated sacks numbers due to the increase in the amount of passing that has taken place throughout the league, but a lot of what has been added to NFL offenses has been quick passes that effectively act as an extension of the run game. That doesn't necessarily mean more opportunities for sacks then, since the ball is leaving the quarterback's hand so quickly.
Harrison ultimately is a two-time Super Bowl champion that has arguably the most impressive play in Super Bowl history, so his legacy will never be forgotten. Watt being widely considered as someone who has surpassed him in Steelers history, should only be taken as a testament to how incredible Watt's career has been thus far.
Steelers Have Third Option In Nick Herbig
With one of the best duos in the NFL in Watt and Highsmith, it is hard to see them leave the field when there is a chance for opposing offenses to take advantage of their absence. That could potentially change in 2024 however, as 2023 draft pick Nick Herbig has been getting high praise throughout the summer and is expected to make a big leap in year two.
Should Herbig step up and perform at a higher level in 2024, even though he did show flashes in limited playing time as a playmaker in 2023, Watt and Highsmith should have the ability to stay fresh and get more breathers throughout each game and throughout the year. Keeping that duo healthy is a big key to their 2024 success, so Herbig's ability to fill in is going to be crucial for them to make a title run.
