The Steel City is buzzing with excitement today as Head Coach Mike Tomlin delivered news that sent waves of joy throughout the Pittsburgh Steelers community: All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt has officially been named the defensive team captain for the 2025 NFL season—a move that underscores Watt’s continued leadership both on and off the field.
During a press conference held at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, Tomlin praised Watt’s relentless work ethic, leadership qualities, and consistent excellence as key reasons behind the decision.
“T.J. is the heart of this defense,” Tomlin said. “His leadership is unmatched, and his ability to elevate everyone around him made this an easy choice. He represents what it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler.”
Watt, 30, is coming off another dominant season in 2024, where he led the NFL in sacks for the fourth time in his career and was once again a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year. Despite injuries that plagued parts of the Steelers’ roster, Watt remained a constant force—fueling a defense that kept the team in playoff contention throughout the season.
A Leader in Every Sense
Known for his fiery passion and unmatched motor, Watt’s appointment as captain was met with thunderous approval from teammates and fans alike. Social media exploded with support, with fellow players calling him “a warrior,” “the ultimate teammate,” and “the voice of the locker room.”
Steelers veteran Cameron Heyward reacted to the news on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“Couldn’t be happier for my brother @_TJWatt. The best leader and one of the best to ever wear the Black and Gold.”
Eyes on the Lombardi
With Watt stepping into a more vocal leadership role, the Steelers are poised to make a serious push for the franchise’s seventh Super Bowl title. He’ll now be responsible not only for leading the league’s top-ranked defense but also for mentoring younger players and setting the tone every week.
When asked about the honor, Watt kept it humble:
“I don’t take this lightly. I’ve learned from some of the best—guys like Cam [Heyward], Ben [Roethlisberger], and Coach T. I’m proud to carry the torch and lead this group.”
As training camp gets underway, Steelers Nation has every reason to be optimistic. With Watt wearing the captain’s “C” on his chest, the heart of the defense just got even stronger—and the hunt for another championship is officially on.
