The Pittsburgh Steelers have called other NFL teams around the league to see what T.J. Watt’s trade value could be, but they have yet to call anyone with the intention of truly shopping or trading the star edge rusher, according to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly.
“There is no anticipation for Watt to hold out when camp starts on July 23 and there has been no inquires made to other teams about trading him, according to sources. Basically, these are how high-profile and big money deals go. Seems like it could go down to the wire as it did in 2021,” Kaboly wrote.
Watt held in during his first contract negotiations, opting to work off to the side instead of holding out. If he does show up to training camp, it is likely Watt will do the same he did during that process.
As for the trade value, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network seemed skeptical the Steelers would get a first round pick for Watt after talks around the NFL.
“What can you get, at this point, for T.J. Watt?” Pelissero said. “For one thing, a 2026 draft pick doesn’t help you. But 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."
Watt, 30, will turn 31 in October and is coming off a second half of the 2024 season that saw him banged up and unproductive. The Steelers want to have some leverage against the perceived risk of Watt’s contract.
Myles Garrett’s $40 million per year already sets a high bar for the Pittsburgh Steelers to meet when it comes to the next extension for Watt. Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson could top that number, driving the asking price for Watt’s annual gross average and potentially guaranteed money up even more.
The 30-year-old edge rusher remains one of the NFL’s elites. At the annual league meetings last week, general manager Omar Khan said the team hopes to see Watt finish his career with the Steelers.
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