Following another disappointing playoff outing, some thought the Pittsburgh Steelers were ready to move on from T.J. Watt.
Of course, it wasn’t that the shortcomings were Watt’s fault or that he isn’t a great player.
If anything, the pass rusher was their best and most valuable trade chip to kick-start a long-overdue retooling process.
The Steelers, however, want no part of that.
Instead, they’re now on the verge of breaking the bank to keep Watt around for years to come.
According to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Steelers are in line to make Watt the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history.
“Not only is he going to get more than Myles Garrett, [but] I think T.J. Watt’s going to get a nice, strong, healthy deal. I think, at some point in time, the two sides will be able to figure out a way to get this done. I can’t imagine that T.J. Watt wouldn’t be there for the start of training camp. We were with Mike Tomlin last week at mandatory minicamp, saying that both sides are working to make it happen. But, T.J. Watt’s seen the money that’s gone around, he wants to make sure he gets rewarded in the appropriate way,” Schefter said, via Pat McAfee.
"TJ Watt is gonna get a strong deal from the Pittsburgh Steelers..
Both sides are working to make it happen and TJ wants to make sure that he gets rewarded in an appropriate way" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bRtjYZTIg6
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 18, 2025
While Watt has struggled with injuries and has yet to lead the Steelers to a championship, he has a case to go down as the greatest defensive player in franchise history.
He’s been one of the best pass rushers in the game for years, and he’s shown no signs of slowing down.
The Steelers have some major questions to address on offense, and it’s been almost a decade since their last playoff win.
However, they have no intention of going back to the drawing board and rebuilding, and this decision with Watt shows that they believe they can go all the way as long as he is out there.
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