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Steelers roster spotlight: Is the NFL sleeping on Jack Sawyer?
Steelers roster spotlight: Is the NFL sleeping on Jack Sawyer?
When it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers' outside linebacker room, Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig have been commanding all the headlines. And it goes without saying that T.J. Watt is a walking superstar with or without the publicity. But Jack Sawyer, a talented depth piece, is quietly being underestimated behind the three-headed edge-rushing monster that Watt, Herbig, and Highsmith form.
From now until the start of the regular season, we at Steelers Wire will be analyzing every player on the roster. Here's a look at Sawyer and what could be in store for his 2026 season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAge: 24 years old
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 13, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Brett Davis, Brett Davis-Imagn Images)Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, at New England Patriots, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Brian Fluharty, Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images)Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)Week 4: Thursday Night Football, Oct. 1, at Cleveland Browns, 8:15 p.m. ET
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, vs. Indianapolis Colts, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Justin K. Aller, Getty Images)Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 18, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Barry Reeger, Barry Reeger-Imagn Images)Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at New Orleans Saints, 9:30 a.m. ET (Paris)
(SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network, SCOTT CLAUSE/USA TODAY Network)Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Jeff Lange, Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Week 9: Bye week
(Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images)Week 10: Sunday Night Football, Nov. 15, at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m. ET
(Sam Greene/The Enquirer, Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 p.m. ET
(Bill Streicher, Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)Week 12: Friday, Nov. 27, vs. Denver Broncos, 3:00 p.m. ET (Black Friday Game)
(Ron Chenoy, Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images)Week 13: Sunday Night Football, Dec. 6, vs. Houston Texans, 8:20 p.m. ET
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)Week 14: Monday Night Football, Dec. 14, at Jacksonville Jaguars, 8:15 p.m. ET
(Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)Week 16: TBD, vs. Carolina Panthers, TBD
(Allison Lawhon, Imagn Images)Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, at Tennessee Titans, 1:00 p.m. ET
(Philip G. Pavely, Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports)Week 18: TBD, at Baltimore Ravens, TBD
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)Steelers' 2026 schedule revealed: Opponents, dates, primetime games
Takeaways from the Steelers 2026 regular-season schedule release
Former Steelers linebacker returns to Pittsburgh after UFL breakout
Week 18: TBD, at Baltimore Ravens, TBD
(Charles LeClaire, Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images)Career with the Steelers
Sawyer, selected by the Steelers with the 123rd overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, slid all the way down from a second-round projection, right into Pittsburgh's lap in the fourth round.
A talented edge rusher who played a huge role in leading the Ohio State Buckeyes to a national championship in his final collegiate season, Sawyer served as a rotational outside linebacker and a quality special teamer for Pittsburgh during his rookie year. But that could soon change in a brand-new defensive scheme.
What's next in 2026?
New Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has made it clear that his defenders need to be comfortable lining up at different positions, which could actually open the door for more opportunities for Sawyer. Watt isn't getting any younger and could see a slightly reduced snap count to keep him healthy toward the latter half of the season. And let's not forget that Highsmith has been connected to more trade rumors than we can keep up with. It feels as though Sawyer could be destined for a bigger Year 2 than some have realized heading into 2026.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers roster spotlight: Is the NFL sleeping on Jack Sawyer?