T.J. Watt blasted ESPN’s July 8, 2026 positional rankings that placed him seventh among NFL edge rushers, arguing the list undervalues his play after a tough 2025 campaign.
What did the ESPN ranking say?
ESPN’s latest edge‑rusher list ranked Myles Garrett at No. 1, Micah Parsons at No. 2, Will Anderson at No. 3, Aidan Hutchinson at No. 5, Maxx Crosby at No. 4, and Danielle Hunter at No. 6. T.J. Watt landed at No. 7, a noticeable slide from his back‑to‑back No. 2 finishes in 2023 and 2024. Jeremy Fowler, ESPN’s senior analyst, noted Watt missed three late‑season games in 2025 after a partially collapsed lung from a dry‑needling accident, and his pass‑rush win rate fell to 11.7%, the lowest among the top ten.
Why does the drop matter for Watt?
The Steelers’ three‑time sack king recorded just seven sacks in 2025, a sharp dip from double‑digit totals in six of his previous seven seasons. At 31‑going‑on‑32, the decline fuels talk that younger pass rushers are overtaking him. An AFC executive called the trend “definitely in decline,” while a personnel evaluator warned Watt’s burst and get‑off have been hampered by lingering lower‑body issues. The ranking fuels speculation that Watt may have to share snaps with Alex Highsmith and rookie Nick Herbig, potentially limiting his impact.
How does Watt’s career stack up?
Since being drafted in the first round of 2017, Watt has amassed 517 tackles, 115 sacks, 36 forced fumbles, 14 recoveries, 58 passes defensed, and nine interceptions. Those numbers still place him among the most productive linebackers of his era, even if the 2025 season looked like an outlier. His career totals suggest the ESPN list captures a single season’s dip rather than his overall value.
What’s next for the Steelers star?
Watt’s camp has not released an official response, but insiders say he plans to prove the rankings wrong in training camp. If he can stay healthy and regain his lower‑body explosiveness, he could challenge the younger edge rushers for top‑tier snaps. The Steelers’ coaching staff hinted they’ll evaluate his snap count on a game‑by‑game basis, keeping an eye on his pass‑rush win rate and sack production as the 2026 season unfolds.
Bottom line: The ESPN ranking sparked a debate about whether a single down year should dictate a player’s market perception. Watt’s reaction signals he’s not ready to accept a seventh‑place label without a fight, and the upcoming preseason will be his first chance to rewrite the narrative.