From the episode
teams did their best to try to take him away. He was chip locked on 31% of his pass rushes, which was the highest of any player since at least 2018...the sacks have fallen off for three straight seasons...offenses when facing the Pittsburgh Steelers last year were actually more concerned about Alex Highsmith and TJ Watt...TJ Watt is making top five defensive player money...he's 32 years old this year...he's not a top five defensive player.
STACKED’s take
Sacks declining three straight years; not a top-5 defender despite contract
The source presents T.J. Watt as overrated, noting that while teams chip blocked him on 31% of his pass rushes last year (highest of any player since 2018), his sack totals have declined for three straight seasons (19 to 11.5 to 7). Albert Breer reported that offenses were more concerned about Alex Highsmith than Watt last year. At age 32, Watt is making top-five defensive player money (equivalent to Baker Mayfield's salary), yet the Steelers signed Alex Highsmith to a four-year, $100 million extension, suggesting they value Highsmith more. The source attributes the decline to natural aging and physical toll from his high effort level, but emphasizes he is not a top-five defensive player despite his contract.
T.J. WattLB · PITPlayer page — value, ADP, projections, and every insight