The Pittsburgh Steelers have plenty of talent at outside linebacker, including a franchise cornerstone in T.J. Watt and a very talented running mate on the other side in Alex Highsmith. Behind those two, the Steelers have two young players who’ve shown promise in Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer.
While that’s a good thing to have, it has made things a little complicated contractually. Thus, some have speculated the Steelers might want to move on from Watt, allowing Herbig to have more of a chance to make an impact heading into his contract year. Gerry Dulac hinted that Pittsburgh could trade one of its starting outside linebackers on Wednesday. To Bob Labriola of Steelers.com, that idea doesn’t make much sense.
“In my opinion, there would be little reason for a new coaching staff to be interested in unloading a pedigreed player who also serves as a leader and example to his teammates in the way he works, and prepares, and conducts himself as a professional,” Labriola wrote Thursday in his Asked and Answered piece.
Labriola was asked if the Steelers were putting Watt on the trade block, which he clearly doesn’t think is a good idea. And those are some good reasons to be keep Watt around. He’s been a leader in the locker room for years, is one of the most important players in the recent franchise history, and still came up big at times last year.
On the other hand, Watt is playing on a very expensive extension he signed last offseason. And his play in 2025 certainly wasn’t on the upswing. After having something of a down year with sacks in 2024, Watt had just seven in 14 games in 2025. He also had just 10 tackles for a loss, after having 19 the year before.
Watt still created his share of splash plays in 2025. And he deserves a lot of credit for coming back from a freak lung injury late last season. But his price tag and considering he turns 32 in October are valid reasons to consider a trade. And with Nick Herbig’s future in the balance, it’s something to consider. If the Steelers keep Watt and Herbig ends up leaving as a free agent, that decision might not look great a few years later.
There’s nothing to suggest any potential trade is imminent, with any of the Steelers’ outside linebackers. And T.J. Watt can still be a difference maker if the Steelers want to hold onto him. Which DC Patrick Graham may want as he hopes to build some consistency with his new unit. But if Watt is someone the Steelers consider trading, Labriola doesn’t think that’s the best idea.
Recommended for you