T.J. Watt Calls Out Steelers’ Run Defense Woes: ‘We Can’t Let Teams Average 6 Yards Per Carry!’

Pittsburgh, PA — September 18, 2025 — Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt didn’t hold back after another lackluster defensive performance, declaring, “We can’t let teams average 6 yards per carry—we’re better than that!” The comment, reported by NFL XuanTan, underscores growing concerns about the Steelers’ run defense as they prepare for a pivotal Week 3 showdown with the New England Patriots. With a 1-1 record, Pittsburgh’s highest-paid defense in the NFL is under fire for allowing a staggering 149.5 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks.

The Steelers’ defensive struggles were evident in their 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, where running back Kenneth Walker III averaged 8.1 yards per carry, amassing 117 yards. This followed a Week 1 shootout win over the New York Jets, where the defense surrendered 182 rushing yards. Ranking as the NFL’s fifth-worst run defense, Pittsburgh’s front seven has failed to live up to its “Steel Curtain” legacy, prompting Watt’s urgent call for improvement.

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky highlighted a stark contrast in the Steelers’ defensive performance based on run direction. When opponents run toward Watt’s side (96% of the time the left), they manage just 2.5 yards per attempt (13 rushes, 32.5 yards total), showcasing his elite run-stopping ability. However, when teams avoid Watt, they’ve racked up 204 yards on 34 carries, averaging 6 yards per rush. “Opponents know T.J.’s talent and scheme away from him, but 6 yards per carry is unsustainable,” Orlovsky noted. This disparity reveals both Watt’s dominance and the vulnerability of Pittsburgh’s defensive front elsewhere.

The offense hasn’t helped, struggling to establish a run game beyond Jaylen Warren’s 65-yard catch-and-run against Seattle. Rookie Kaleb Johnson has failed to create separation in the backfield and made a costly special teams error, gifting the Seahawks a touchdown via a muffed kickoff. Injuries further complicate matters, with linebacker Patrick Queen (ribs), Alex Highsmith (ankle), Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), DeShon Elliott (MCL sprain), and guard Max Scharping (ACL tear, out for season) either limited or sidelined. Rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon’s return to practice offers hope, but the team’s depth is stretched thin.

Facing a Patriots team that ran for 122 yards in Week 2, the Steelers must address their run defense to compete in the AFC North, where teams like the Cleveland Browns, bolstered by rookie Quinshon Judkins, boast potent rushing attacks. Watt’s frustration reflects the urgency to restore Pittsburgh’s defensive identity. While the sample size is small, the trend of allowing 6 yards per carry is alarming. As Steelers Nation braces for Sunday’s clash at Gillette Stadium, Watt’s rallying cry sets the tone: this defense must step up or risk falling behind in a stacked division.