For years, the blueprint for opposing offensive coordinators facing the Pittsburgh Steelers was simple – identify T.J. Watt lined up over the right tackle, dedicate a tight end or running back to chip him, and throw to the opposite side.
That predictable dynamic is changing. In Pittsburgh’s Week 1 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Watt unveiled a game-changing tweak to his repertoire by shifting to the right side of the defensive line. Moving away from his primary alignment wasn’t just a gimmick; it proved to be a deliberate schematic adjustment designed to throw protection schemes out of sync.
Recently, Watt joined his teammate Cameron Heyward on his podcast, “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward,” and was asked about the shift. Watt credited outside linebackers coach Denzel Martin for pushing him out of his comfort zone during training camp.
“It’s fun. I mean, just to be able to have the opportunity to go over there, and not to say I didn’t have the opportunity before, but kind of to be forced to do it more,” Watt explained. “I think C.J.’s [Ah You] done a great job working with me on the right side more and just trying to be more open to it myself. It’s not going to be something that I do all the time, but to be able to have it as a change-up.”
The tactical benefits extend far beyond Watt’s individual matchups. Flashing onto the right edge forces opposing offenses to recalculate chip assignments mid-drive, while unlocking creative pass-rush alignments alongside Alex Highsmith.
“And Alex, I mean, if you watch his rushes from the left side, he’s really talented over there as well,” Watt said. “So, I think it’ll be good for everybody.”
While Watt admitted the right-side alignment “still doesn’t feel fully comfortable,” using it selectively gives Pittsburgh a lethal counterpunch. By forcing offensive tackles to set differently and disrupting backfield chip timing, this positional fluidity elevates an already elite defense into an unpredictable nightmare for opposing callers.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: T.J. Watt explains his growing comfort level on the right side
About the Author
