T.J. Watt’s impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers defense has always been undeniable, but in 2024, the focus is less on his individual statistics and more on the incredible attention he commands from opposing offenses. While his sack numbers might not be as eye-popping as previous seasons, particularly the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year campaign, Watt is still performing at an elite level—just in a different way. Thanks to a new statistic from Pro Football Focus (PFF), we now have a clearer picture of how often Watt is being “chipped” at the line of scrimmage, and it’s creating an unexpected benefit for the Steelers’ defense.
In football, a “chip” occurs when a tight end, running back, or receiver briefly blocks an edge rusher before passing him off to the offensive tackle. This is designed to disrupt the rusher’s timing and prevent him from easily getting to the quarterback. T.J. Watt leads the NFL in this category, with a staggering 31.6 percent of his pass rush snaps resulting in a chip block. The next highest mark is Myles Garrett at 21.9 percent, which is a significant gap. Watt’s chip percentage is not just a little higher; it’s nearly double the next closest player, Maxx Crosby, who has been chipped on 47 snaps compared to Watt’s 85 as of Week 9.
This constant attention paid to Watt may explain why his sack numbers have dipped compared to his earlier seasons, but it also highlights how teams are actively game-planning around him. Watt’s ability to disrupt quarterbacks and change the course of a game without necessarily recording a sack or pressure is still a major asset to the Steelers defense. The chip blocks he draws often force quarterbacks into quicker decisions, meaning the ball comes out faster and the offense is forced to play with less rhythm. This disruption is exactly what makes Watt so valuable.
While Watt’s individual statistics might not be as eye-popping, his ability to draw attention and occupy multiple blockers creates opportunities for his teammates. Fellow edge rusher Alex Highsmith, for example, benefits from the extra focus on Watt, allowing him to capitalize on one-on-one situations. Even younger players like Nick Herbig have had a chance to shine when Watt is absorbing so much attention. Teams that devote two blockers to Watt are leaving others like Highsmith more space to operate, which improves the overall pass rush and defensive effectiveness for Pittsburgh.
The effect of Watt’s constant chips also impacts the opposing offense beyond just sacks and pressures. When Watt is left one-on-one with an offensive tackle, quarterbacks know they don’t have the luxury of holding the ball for long. With his explosive ability to beat blockers and close on the quarterback quickly, Watt forces offenses to make faster decisions, often leading to incomplete passes or short throws. This means fewer big plays and less opportunity for sustained drives down the field. In many ways, Watt’s presence on the field acts as a game-wrecking force, even if the raw stats don’t fully reflect it.
While Pittsburgh’s defense has its imperfections, Watt’s leadership and disruptive presence are clear. His ability to impact the game without needing to rack up the typical sack numbers is a testament to his skill and the attention he commands from opposing offenses. The Steelers are fortunate to have a player who can draw so much focus while still helping set up others for success. So, while T.J. Watt may not be on pace for a career-high sack total in 2024, his value to the defense—and to the team as a whole—remains unquestioned.
