Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt gave ringing endorsements to three young defensive players during an interview with Missi Matthews of Steelers.com.
“Payton [Wilson] looks incredible,” Watt told Matthews. “Second year ’round, we always talk about that jump in Year 1, Year 2. Very physical, becoming very vocal.”
Wilson was tasked with being the play-calling conduit between his coaches and defensive teammates last Saturday night in the first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The duty served as a large example of the trust Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff have in the 2024 third-round draft choice. Typically, Patrick Queen is the Steelers’ green dot linebacker, but he was rested in the preseason opener against the Jaguars.
Wilson being more vocal and confident was very noticeable at training camp.
Watt also praised first-round pick Derrick Harmon and rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer.
“In our room, I think D-Harm [Derrick Harmon] looks really good for a young rookie. I think [Jack] Sawyer looks good too. Just guys that are football guys and they’re asking the right questions,” Watt said. “They wanna succeed. They wanna know how they can continue to improve and get better. So it’s been refreshing.”
.@missi_matthews and @_TJWatt sat down to talk about his new contract, his new teammates and more. @84LumberNews pic.twitter.com/SJgPTCA2V4
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 15, 2025
Fortunately for Sawyer, he has the league’s best pass rusher as a teammate.
“It’s awesome. No better guy you want to learn from. He’s been great. Good guy off the field, too,” Sawyer said of Watt at St. Vincent College earlier this month. “To be able to learn from him and see how he attacks every day, whether it’s on the field or off the field in recovery. It’s been great for me already.”
Watt thinks the former Buckeye has the attributes to succeed at the next level.
“We call him five star. He’s a five-star recruit. The golden child outta Ohio,” Watt said. “He’s been great, he really has been. He’s a big guy, isn’t afraid to go and hit people, but also has some good finesse moves. He’s been a good rookie so far, but it’s still too early to say.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: T.J. Watt Endorses Three Young Steelers Defensive Players
