When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected outside linebacker Jack Sawyer with one of their first three picks in the 2025 NFL Draft, it was only a matter of time before speculation began on the future of T.J. Watt. With Watt being 30 years old and entering the last year of his contract, the media has been speculating on his future in Pittsburgh. That was kicked into overdrive when he posted a photo of himself with the “peace out” hand gesture a couple weeks ago.
According to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac, the pick of Sawyer has nothing to do with the ongoing negotiations with Watt.
“I don’t think they view this as a T.J. Watt replacement,” Dulac said via 102.5 WDVE’s Morning Show with Randy Baumann. “I believe T.J. watt will be extended and he’ll be on the team. So I think it was a matter of getting a Jack Sawyer, that type of player to help their run defense.”
Outside linebackers are the most premium position in the Steelers’ 3-4 defense. They know all too well what it’s like to be starting Malik Reed and Derrek Tuszka, and what that can do to the defense overall.
It’s never a bad idea to be four solid players deep out on the EDGE. Watt and Alex Highsmith are obviously entrenched as the two starters and Nick Herbig has been earning a bigger role over time, but both Herbig and Highsmith were injured for portions of last season.
Sawyer also offers a different body type from the one that Herbig has in the reserve role. Herbig is listed at 6-2, 240 pounds while Sawyer weighed in at 6-4, 260 pounds at the Combine. That extra size helps against the run, and we all know how desperately the Steelers needed to improve their run defense after the end of the 2024 season.
“This whole thing was designed to help improve their run defense,” Dulac said. “They always want four outside linebackers…Having four of them doesn’t surprise me. I think it’s also the type of player Sawyer is, 6-4, 260. He’s a sturdy, stout guy who played defensive end and knows all about setting the edge and stopping the run.”
The Steelers had to trade for Preston Smith at the deadline last year because of the injury and depth issues at outside linebacker. Drafting Sawyer prevents them from having to do that next year in a similar situation.
Many viewed Sawyer as a late second-round talent. The value he presented at a premium position was too much to pass on.
“I think he’s the one who could make the draft,” Dulac said. “Just like Payton Wilson did. If you ask me, you’re getting — I’m not gonna sit here and call Jack Sawyer a gem, but I thought Payton Wilson was a real steal and a gem when they got him. So I think it’s comparable.”
Could he eventually help replace Watt when he inevitably slows down or mulls retirement in a few years? Sure, but that doesn’t make him an imminent replacement.
The Steelers still have a little over four months to work out an extension with Watt, and Dulac thinks that will ultimately get done.
