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Going into the 2025 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers have made a massive investment in their outside linebacker position. This unit should be the strength of the Steelers defense and the unit opposing coaching staffs must gameplan for. But last season, this group struggled and we are hopeful that new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham can bring a spark back to a trio of pass rushers who are set to hit the salary cap for a combined $82 million in 2027.
Let's take a look at the edge defenders ahead of training camp.
Watt is the elder statesman of the group at 31 and a player just a few seasons ago was being discussed as the best defensive player in the league. He's led the NFL in sacks three times in his career but after netting only 7.0 sacks in 2025, have many questioning if he can bounce back.
Highsmith has been steady, not spectacular throughout his career. He actually led the Steelers with 9.5 sacks last season but has only one season of double-digit sacks in six seasons. He, like Watt is being paid handsomely to rush the passer but hasn't lived up to his contract over the past three years.
The latest Steelers edge to get a massive contract was Herbig this offseason. The team gave him a $100 million deal despite never being a full-time starter in the league and only 16.0 career sacks in three seasons. It's still unclear where Herbig will fit in the rotation this season.
Sawyer heads into his second season as the No. 4 guy on the depth chart and the odd man out. Sawyer only had one sack as a rookie but it is hard to fault him when he's not going to see the field with those three massive contracts ahead of him.
The Steelers pass rush has struggled in recent seasons, some of which can be attributed to former defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and head coach Mike Tomlin. After five straight seasons of 50+ sacks, the Steelers haven't hit that number in the last four. If this defense is going to get back to its former glory, it starts with the trio of Watt, Highsmith and Herbig getting after the quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers training camp preview: Outside linebacker
Continue reading...
Let's take a look at the edge defenders ahead of training camp.
T.J. Watt
Watt is the elder statesman of the group at 31 and a player just a few seasons ago was being discussed as the best defensive player in the league. He's led the NFL in sacks three times in his career but after netting only 7.0 sacks in 2025, have many questioning if he can bounce back.
Alex Highsmith
Highsmith has been steady, not spectacular throughout his career. He actually led the Steelers with 9.5 sacks last season but has only one season of double-digit sacks in six seasons. He, like Watt is being paid handsomely to rush the passer but hasn't lived up to his contract over the past three years.
Nick Herbig
The latest Steelers edge to get a massive contract was Herbig this offseason. The team gave him a $100 million deal despite never being a full-time starter in the league and only 16.0 career sacks in three seasons. It's still unclear where Herbig will fit in the rotation this season.
Jack Sawyer
Sawyer heads into his second season as the No. 4 guy on the depth chart and the odd man out. Sawyer only had one sack as a rookie but it is hard to fault him when he's not going to see the field with those three massive contracts ahead of him.
Outlook
The Steelers pass rush has struggled in recent seasons, some of which can be attributed to former defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and head coach Mike Tomlin. After five straight seasons of 50+ sacks, the Steelers haven't hit that number in the last four. If this defense is going to get back to its former glory, it starts with the trio of Watt, Highsmith and Herbig getting after the quarterback.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers training camp preview: Outside linebacker
Continue reading...
