TJ Watt, who is entering the final year of a four-year $112 million contract, has been absent from Steelers OTAs as he campaigns for a new deal.
Aaron Rodgers was a bargain.
T.J. Watt might not be.
But if the Pittsburgh Steelers are really “loading up” to make a run?
They need the second guy to be happy at least as much as they needed the first.
Pass rushers have enjoyed a massive jump in the market this NFL offseason. Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and eventually Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson are all examples of new contracts reaching up near $40 million annually for the position.
Watt now wants a slice of the pie, too. … and that is presently a problem.
Watt, who is entering the final year of a four-year $112 million contract, has been absent from OTAs as he campaigns for a new deal.
The former Defensive Player of the Year previously had the record for the highest-paid contract at his position when he signed his current deal in 2021. This season without an extension, he’ll make $21.05 million on salary and cost $30.4 million total on the cap.
The cost of doing business? He wants more.
Watt, 30, is entering his ninth season in the league and remains one of the game’s best defensive players. In 2024, he totaled 11.5 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles.
He has over the years led the league in sacks a record three times and owns four First Team All-Pro honors to go with his 2021 DPOY.
There is no question that Pittsburgh wants to keep him here and keep him happy.
So, what’s the latest?
Team insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has revealed that the “expectation” is that Watt and the Steelers “will come to some agreement” before Pittsburgh opens the 2025 regular season with a matchup at the New York Jets on Sept. 7.
Garrett’s deal impact all of this. So does Pittsburgh trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and giving him $30 million per year.
And Rodgers at $13.65 million? That leaves room.
So it’s a links-in-the-chain setup for Watt and Pittsburgh … with fans waiting for that “expectation” to come to fruition.
