T.J. Watt
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Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport named the Philadelphia Eagles a potential trade partner for edge rusher T.J. Watt.
The Philadelphia Eagles signed veteran Arnold Ebiketie to replace departed Jaelan Phillips this offseason. But most pundits still see edge rusher as a significant need for the two-time defending NFC East champions. On Friday, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport pitched a bold solution — T.J. Watt.
Davenport included Watt on a list of eight starts who “could actually be traded” during the rest of this offseason. Davenport named the Eagles one of two possible trade partners.
“The Wisconsin product has been to eight Pro Bowls in nine seasons, was named the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, and his 115 career sacks are the most in Steelers history,” wrote Davenport.
“However, Watt is also a highly paid 31-year-old coming off an injury-marred season where he posted just seven sacks—tied for the second-fewest of his career …
“It is also fair to question whether the current version of the Steelers, even with Aaron Rodgers, profiles as a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
“Add in that the Steelers have an in-house replacement already on the roster in Nick Herbig, and maybe dealing Watt isn’t so ludicrous after all.”
The Steelers signed Watt last offseason to a 3-year, $123 million extension.
Could the Steelers Really Trade Edge Rusher T.J. Watt?
T.J. Watt
GettyBleacher Report’s Gary Davenport named the Philadelphia Eagles a potential trade partner for edge rusher T.J. Watt.
It’s not really fair to characterize Watt’s 2025 campaign as “injury-marred.” While the edge rusher missed three games in December, that was due to Watt requiring surgery on a collapsed lung. The injury occurred at the Steelers facility while the edge rusher was receiving dry needling treatment.
Watt has definitely suffered his fair share of injuries prior to 2025. But he was on the field up until the dry needling incident last season and returned less than three weeks after surgery.
The rest of Davenport’s analysis on Watt, though, was on point. The edge rusher experienced a disappointing 2025, his replacement is potentially already on the roster, and the Steelers aren’t clear contenders.
For those reasons, Davenport isn’t the first to suggest Watt is a trade candidate.
The Eagles are a potential landing spot because of their need at edge rusher. Philadelphia didn’t have a defender with more than 6.5 sacks last season. And again, they lost Phillips, who the Eagles acquired at the NFL trade deadline.
Watt has never had fewer than seven sacks in a season. He has led the NFL in sacks three times, which is a record. From 2018-24, he averaged about 14.5 sacks per season, and that’s including 2022 when he only had 5.5 sacks in 10 games because of injury.
Steelers Trading Their Top Edge Rusher Would Be Difficult Because of His Contract
T.J. Watt
GettyHow would a T.J. Watt trade work with his $123 million extension?
While Watt made Davenport’s list, even the Bleacher Report analyst suggested the edge rusher’s contract makes him a difficult player to trade.
With the contract extension, Watt possesses a cap hit of at least $42 million in each of the next three seasons. That’s a gigantic amount consider Watt might be on the decline.
The edge rusher led the NFL with 19 sacks during 2023. He saw his sack production decline to 11.5 in 2024 and then drop again to seven last season.
For that reason, pundits have speculated that Watt’s trade value could be as low as a second-round pick.
The Steelers might not be willing to deal their all-time sack leader for that amount. If they want a first-round pick, though, they will likely have to accept a big portion of Watt’s contract. The Steelers probably aren’t likely to do that either.
Watt is likely going to stay in Pittsburgh for at least another season if not the entire duration of his current deal. But if there’s any chance of a trade, the Eagles would be smart to inquire.