The Pittsburgh Steelers have the best edge rusher group in the NFL.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have topped ESPN's edge rusher rankings list again.
Last season, the Steelers ranked fourth in the NFL with a 41.3% pass rush win rate and were sixth with 48 sacks.
Pittsburgh's rushers are led by future Hall of Famer T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig.
"The Steelers top the edge list for the second consecutive year," ESPN wrote. "Last season, they ranked fourth in the NFL with a 41.3% pass rush win rate and were sixth with 48 sacks. T.J. Watt is not coming off his best campaign, but he was an All-Pro in each of his past five healthy seasons. Alex Highsmith is a terrific running mate with 37.0 sacks over the past four seasons. Nick Herbig registered a career-high 7.5 sacks last season, and his 24.7% pass rush win rate since entering the league in 2021 is second to only Micah Parsons."
Watt appeared in 14 games for the Steelers last season. He finished with seven sacks, 23 solo tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 19 QB hits.
Highsmith put up 9.5 sacks, 36 solo tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 19 QB hits in 2025. He's entering a contract year.
Finally, Herbig had 7.5 sacks, 21 solo tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 18 QB hits last season.
The Steelers signed Watt to a three-year, $123 million contract in 2025, with $108 million guaranteed. Watt turns 32 in October and has guaranteed salaries of $32 million in both 2026 and 2027.
Watt has spent his entire NFL career in Pittsburgh. He enters next season with 115 sacks, 354 solo tackles, 136 tackles for loss and 244 QB hits. He's made eight Pro Bowls and four All-Pro selections and won the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year Award.
However, the Steelers are 0-5 in the playoffs in the Watt era. So even though Watt has put up incredible numbers, he hasn't helped Pittsburgh win a postseason game.
The Steelers open the 2026 season against the Atlanta Falcons. They have the oldest active starting QB in the league right now, Aaron Rodgers, so the defense has to play very well this season.
