The Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to strike a deal with former Defensive Player of the Year, and Wisconsin native, T.J. Watt, and the Green Bay Packers could be an ideal destination should talks not lead to a new contract extension this summer.
Watt, 30, remains one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the sport and would fill a pressing need on Jeff Hafley’s defense, perhaps even making the kind of impact that closes that gap on the Detroit Lions in the NFC North and the Philadelphia Eagles on the road to a potential Super Bowl for Green Bay.
Packers urged to trade for T.J. Watt
T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers, Packers
Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Green Bay has a glaring need, waiting for Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness to become consistently disruptive playmakers in opposing backfields, and Watt could be the kind of addition to elevate the rest of the defense this season.
CBS Sports NFL analyst Cody Benjamin suggests that Green Bay should be one of five teams most aggressively pursuing a trade with the Steelers, for Watt.
“It’s kind of a shame that Watt’s older brother, JJ, never got to suit up for his home state at the NFL level,” Benjamin writes for CBS. “Perhaps T.J. can correct that. The Packers aren’t necessarily in dire need of a pass rusher with Rashan Gary headlining their group, but with Lukas Van Ness coming along slowly, why would they turn down a perennial All-Pro as they look to make a leap as a playoff contender? In the year 2025, when an ex-Packers great in Aaron Rodgers is trying to save Pittsburgh, this kind of a blockbuster swap would only be fitting.”
Watt’s production speaks for itself, having posted 108 sacks through his first eight seasons on his way to a Defensive Player of The Year Award as a four-time First-Team All-Pro.
But, the Packers might be uniquely positioned to pull off a deal with the Steelers, both because of the fact that Green Bay plays in the NFC, and has $35.5 million in cap space this season, $17 million in cap space next season, and are projected to have $82.9 million in spending flexibility in 2027, which puts general manager Brian Gutekunst ideally positioned to sign Watt to a long-term extension.
If remains to be seen if the Steelers have any real interest in trading Watt, or might be more motivated to if this standoff continues into training camp, but the Packers are a fascinating team and fit to watch as a possible destination.
The Wisconsin Badgers saw plenty of action during NFL Week 12
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) celebrates a sack of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) in the fourth quarter of a Week 12 NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, at Paycor Stadium.