TJ Watt Trade
Getty
TJ Watt Trade
The Pittsburgh Steelers have entered a new era. They parted ways with former head coach Mike Tomlin after 19 seasons and decided to hire another Super Bowl-winning head coach in Mike McCarthy. With the NFL Draft on the horizon, all kinds of news and trade rumors may come to the forefront as it pertains to some of the league’s most notable names.
One of those players could be All-Pro edge-rusher T.J. Watt, who has built a Hall of Fame career in the Steel City. However, insider Mark Kaboly, who recently appeared on 93.7 The Fan, stated that there is “0% chance” that the former Defensive Player of the Year gets traded.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Shouldn’t Trade T.J. Watt
TJ Watt
GettyT.J. Watt was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers out of Wisconsin in 2017.
The thought of the Steelers trading Watt simply doesn’t make much sense. Even though the former Badger is entering his 10th career season and is going to turn 32 years of age soon, he is still one of the league’s best edge-rushers. His 37.5 sacks across the last three seasons are reason enough to want to keep him around. Also, his 115 career sacks and 244 career quarterback hits have proven that he was a steal at pick No. 30 almost a decade ago.
Andrew Fillipponi
Excellent Pat McAfee Steelers correspondent Mark Kaboly says there’s a 0% chance TJ Watt gets traded.
Kaboly knows a lot.
Despite missing three games last season and recording just seven sacks, that shouldn’t scare the Steelers away. McCarthy is going to want as much experience on his roster as he can find in his first season there. Other than future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Cam Heyward and longtime kicker Chris Boswell, Watt is the team’s longest-tenured player. While he had a down year last year, he should be a key piece of the puzzle once again for the team.
Aaron Rodgers Is Key in This Scenario
Will Howard Aaron Rodgers Drew Allar
GettyAaron Rodgers still remains unsigned after spending the 2025 season with the Steelers.
If McCarthy wants his old quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, to come back this season, why wouldn’t he want Watt to stay with the club? Rodgers is set to turn 43 years of age in December and is on the 18th hole of his career if he does decide to return. If the team has any interest in an aging quarterback, it shouldn’t have any interest in trading one of its best players on defense who is 11 years younger.
Not only are Watt, Rodgers, Boswell, and Heyward 30 years of age or older, but other players on the roster have a plethora of experience, as well. Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf is going to turn 29 this season. Newly signed defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day is currently 31, as is future Hall of Fame defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
If the roster is already filled with talented veterans, why should McCarthy and GM Omar Khan want to trade a player like Watt? They are better off riding out this season with this current group of players. With Rodgers being the x-factor, whether or not he returns could give fans a clue as to what may be done about the futures of the other veterans on the roster.