T.J. Watt expresses disappointment in Steelers' turnover struggles after SNF loss in Los Angeles

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt bluntly assessed his team’s defensive approach after Sunday's loss to the LA Chargers. He stressed that the unit can’t depend on turnovers to stay competitive.

The 25-10 defeat was Pittsburgh’s third in its last four games. Watt highlighted that the team’s identity has become tied to creating takeaways.

"We can't continue to live and die by the turnovers as a defense," Watt told reporters. "We need to get off the field, we need to stop the run. Critical third downs, we need to do a better job of. No excuse for it. We need to play better."

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T.J. Watt Says the #Steelers Defense Can't Live and Die on Turnovers

The Steelers didn't record any takeaway in four of their last five matchups. Despite ranking among the league’s best in turnover rate, the defense’s production has arrived in streaks rather than consistency.

T.J. Watt calls for a more complete defensive effort

NFL: Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers - Source: Imagn

T.J. Watt pointed to Sunday's time of possession as a reflection of the Steelers’ broader struggles. The Chargers controlled the ball for more than 35 minutes, keeping Pittsburgh’s defense for extended stretches and exposing its fatigue late in drives.

"We need to get off the field. Our job is to get on and off the field as quickly as possible," Watt told reporters during Sunday's postgame presser. "Good defenses spend a lot of time on the bench, and we haven't been doing that enough in totality this whole year.

LA ran nearly 20 more plays than the Steelers, despite being sacked five times and the defense pressuring Justin Herbert throughout the game.

Pittsburgh entered Sunday ranked near the top of the league in sacks but near the bottom in yards allowed and passing defense. Watt said the imbalance showed why forcing turnovers alone can’t define success.

The Steelers struggled to sustain drives, converting only two of 12 opportunities on third and fourth down combined. Aaron Rodgers finished with 161 passing yards and two interceptions.

Pittsburgh (5-4) still sits atop the AFC North, but its cushion has shrunk to a single game over Baltimore.