T.J. Watt is set to reclaim the Defensive Player of the Year spotlight in 2026.
The Steelers' star finished the 2025 season with seven sacks, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
## What happened?

Opposing teams made limiting Watt's impact their top priority, using constant double teams and chips from tight ends.
This attention led to a quieter statistical output from Watt compared to previous seasons.
The Steelers' defensive front did not always capitalize on the attention, resulting in Watt absorbing the pressure without the team benefiting statistically.
## Why it matters for T.J. Watt

Watt remains one of the most technically refined and physically dominant edge rushers in football, with a motor, instincts, and ability to create turnovers that separate him from the rest.
As the Steelers' defensive line grows, opposing offenses may no longer be able to devote as many resources to stopping Watt.
## What comes next?

With Derrick Harmon emerging as a legitimate presence up front, the Steelers' defensive line may provide more balance and pressure around Watt, giving him more opportunities to get after the quarterback.
Watt could quickly find himself with far more opportunities to make an impact in 2026.
And if the circumstances break the right way, Watt could re-enter the league's elite conversation and push himself back into the Defensive Player of the Year race.
So Steelers fans should not be shocked if the veteran star returns to form in 2026 and reaches another level entirely.
But Watt will always command a certain level of attention and respect from offensive lines across the league.
The 31-year-old Watt has repeatedly shown the ability to completely disrupt opposing offenses when given a small window to take over a game.
As a result, opposing offenses will continue to prioritize stopping him, but the emergence of Harmon and the growth of the Steelers' defensive front could make it more difficult for them to do so.
With the 2026 NFL season approaching, expect a very motivated Watt to make a strong push for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Steelers' star has the skills and ability to dominate games, and with a more balanced defensive front, he could be poised for a massive season.
Watt's performance in 2025 was not a decline, but rather a year where opposing offenses sold out to stop him.
Now, with the Steelers' defensive line growing and emerging, Watt could be set to reclaim his spot as one of the league's top defenders.