Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt. Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

LB T.J. Watt shares expectations for Steelers defense in 2023

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 2/6/23

The Steelers came up just short of making the playoffs in 2022. Now with their sights on next season, LB T.J. Watt has high expectations for his defense in hopes of making it back to the postseason.

"We want to get back to just being top five on defense in general in every category and it's all about creating those splash plays," Watt said.

Pittsburgh led the league in interceptions (20) this year but ranked 15th in total takeaways (23). And the absence of Watt was likely a contributing factor.

Watt missed seven games this season and his impact continues to be highlighted when he isn't on the field. The Steelers were 8-2 with Watt and 1-6 without him. They also had 24 more sacks and 13 more takeaways with him.

The @steelers were 8-2 and allowed 16.9 pts/gm w/ @_TJWatt in 2022.

Pittsburgh allowed 100 fewer total yards/gm and four times as many sacks and nearly four times as many takeaways with Watt as they did without Watt.#BertschyBits #CLEvsPIT #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/yGC1YKiQaB
— Michael Bertsch (@SteelersPRMike) January 9, 2023

The offseason is just beginning, so what changes will be made in Pittsburgh are still unknown. However, the Steelers have a number of defensive playmakers that are still signed through 2023 and Watt thinks that will benefit them greatly.

"We just want to continue to grow," Watt added. "We have the nucleus of this defense sticking together so hopefully that improvement comes."

Many have wondered if Pittsburgh would have made the postseason if Watt never got hurt. ESPN's Bill Barnwell believes the Steelers will find their way back next year if he can stay healthy.

"The Steelers will make the playoffs if TJ Watt is healthy," Barnwell stated. "He cost them a shot at the playoffs this year by getting injured. They were one and six when TJ went down and 31st in sack rate. Getting TJ Watt back for a full season gets them into the playoffs."

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