PITTSBURGH – When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed cornerback Jaylen Watson this past offseason, the move didn’t make headlines either. Similar to Isaiah Simmons, it wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t loud, and it didn’t come with the fanfare of a blockbuster trade. But through two weeks of the Premier Madden League season, it’s hard to argue that any defensive player in football has made a bigger impact.
Standing at 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, Watson has quickly become the tone-setter of DK LaFleur’s revamped secondary. A physical, aggressive man-to-man corner who’s equally comfortable in zone coverage, Watson brings a rare blend of length, speed, and anticipation that fits perfectly within the Steelers’ defensive identity. Through two games, he’s tallied nine tackles, and more remarkably, two touchdowns, one in each of the first two weeks.
Jaylen Watson is not just fitting in, but he’s transforming the way Pittsburgh plays defense.
The Perfect Prototype
LaFleur and defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin Jr. had a vision for this defense entering the season. They wanted longer corners, more physical play at the line, and defenders who can dictate matchups instead of reacting to them. Watson checks every box.
At 6-foot-2, his size allows him to press bigger receivers off their routes and disrupt timing early in the down. Yet his athleticism makes him versatile enough to drop into soft zones or trail deep routes against burners. With 93 speed and 92 acceleration, Watson covers ground in an instant, often closing windows quarterbacks thought were open.
“He’s built for what we want to do,” LaFleur said. “You can trust him in man, you can trust him in zone, and he’s not afraid to tackle. That’s the kind of player we’ve been missing on the outside, one who can change the game, not just defend it.”
That blend of physicality and instinct has already paid off in ways few could have predicted.
Week 1: The Jump Heard Around the Division
The Steelers’ season opener against the Cleveland Browns was filled with storylines with the first test for LaFleur’s new-look roster, and, of course, the controversy surrounding the Browns’ “Camp Counselor” boosted roster. But amid all that noise, Jaylen Watson delivered the play of the game.
With the Browns driving early in the first quarter, Watson baited rookie quarterback Haynes King into a throw that he’ll remember for the rest of the season. Reading the route combination perfectly, Watson broke on a quick curl, and in a flash, the ball was in his hands.
Sixty-seven yards later, Watson was celebrating in the end zone, high-stepping past stunned Browns receivers as the Pittsburgh sideline erupted.
After the game, Cleveland coach Dot attempted to clarify the play, saying the pass was “a little inaccurate” and sailed about two feet higher than intended. LaFleur and his defense didn’t take kindly to that explanation.
“Two feet too high doesn’t matter when the corner jumps your route,” LaFleur said with a smirk. “That’s film study, not luck. Watson made the play, plain and simple. You can’t coach instincts like that.”
Even Watson himself brushed off the debate. “He’s right, maybe it was a bit high,” he said postgame. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I was waiting for it. If I see it again, I’m taking it again.”
It was a defining moment for a defense that had spent the entire offseason preaching aggression and ball awareness. For Watson, it was just the beginning.
Week 2: The Right Place, the Right Time, the Right Result
If Week 1 was about anticipation, Week 2 was about opportunity. Facing the New Orleans Saints and their high-octane rookie quarterback John Mateer, the Steelers defense spent most of the afternoon on its heels. Mateer threw for nearly 500 yards, dissecting coverages with accuracy that bordered on robotic. But as the Saints threatened to tie late in the third quarter, chaos turned to gold.
On a goal-line pitch gone wrong, the ball fell loose near the right sideline. Amid a sea of bodies and confusion, it was Jaylen Watson who reacted first.
In one motion, he scooped up the fumble, tucked it under his arm, and turned upfield. Ninety-seven yards later, the scoreboard tilted once again in Pittsburgh’s favor.
“I was just thinking, don’t get caught,” Watson laughed afterward. “That field felt a mile long, but once I got open space, I knew I was gone.”
The play wasn’t just a lucky bounce, but it was another example of Watson’s awareness and readiness to capitalize when opportunities arise. As LaFleur put it, “Some guys hope the ball comes their way. Jaylen goes and finds it.”
It was the second consecutive week that Watson had scored a defensive touchdown, putting him in rare company among PML defenders. Through two games, he’s singlehandedly generated 14 points for Pittsburgh, and both scores swung momentum when the team needed it most.
Leadership Through Action
While Watson’s production speaks volumes, his growing influence in the locker room has also been evident. He’s quickly emerged as a vocal presence among the secondary, often seen breaking down huddles or encouraging younger players during practice.
“He’s one of those guys who doesn’t say much until it’s time,” said Jalen Ramsey, Pittsburgh’s other starting corner. “But when he does, everyone listens. He’s earned that.”
The respect is mutual. Watson credits veterans like Ramsey for helping him refine his technique and confidence in LaFleur’s scheme. “It’s easy to play fast when you’ve got someone like Jalen next to you,” he said. “He’s seen everything. He’s helped me trust my eyes and just go.”
A Star Emerging
It’s early, but through two weeks, Watson has positioned himself as one of the league’s breakout defensive stars. His combination of size, athleticism, and game-changing instincts gives Pittsburgh something it hasn’t consistently had in years, and that’s a true playmaker on the perimeter who can flip momentum in a heartbeat, outside of Jalen Ramsey of course.
Whether it’s reading quarterbacks, matching up with top receivers, or simply doing the dirty work in run support, Jaylen Watson is reinforcing what it means to be a Steelers cornerback.
If the first two weeks are any indication, quarterbacks around the league would be wise to think twice before testing him again.
– Forged In Steel Times
