As the Pittsburgh Steelers look to begin training camp in just a couple of weeks, the team is still waiting on a contract extension for EDGE rusher T.J. Watt.
Watt, 30, has been in Pittsburgh is entire career after getting drafted by the Steelers with the 30th overall pick in 2017.
Entering the 2025 season, Watt is currently in his final year under contract with the Steelers, and there has been uncertainty about whether or not a new deal will get done before Pittsburgh's regular season opener on Sept. 7.
With general manager Omar Khan speaking on the situation last week, saying, "I’m not going to get into the contract numbers, but if you’re referring to T.J. [Watt], I assume, I’ll just say that I’m very hopeful that T.J. will finish his career as a Steeler," both sides are working on a new deal.
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt (90).
Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt (90).
Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
However, after several EDGE rushers around the league landed major paydays – including the Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett, who topped the list with a $40 million-per-year deal – T.J. Watt is in line to get something similar in a new contract.
Although the Steelers and Watt are working on something, there's still a chance that he gets dealt to a new team in a trade.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero spoke on possible trade packages for the franchise's all-time leader in sacks, and the assets that the Steelers would get in return aren't as appealing as many would think.
"Even if you were getting a 2026 draft pick, is somebody giving up a first-round pick and more for T.J. Watt? Again, never say never, Rich, but when the Bengals were — at Trey Hendrickson’s request — shopping Trey Hendrickson earlier this offseason, they were asking for a first-round pick. They weren’t being offered a first-round pick for a guy who led the league in sacks last year and has like 35 sacks over the past two seasons," Pelissero said.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt
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T.J. Watt will be turning 31 in October – his younger days are behind him. If the Steelers are thinking about trading the former Defensive Player of the Year away, their return would be underwhelming.