The Pittsburgh Steelers will have outside linebacker T.J. Watt under contract for the next three seasons. Pittsburgh was in first place in the AFC North last season with a 10-7 record. There is a lot of uncertainty with the team as the 2026 NFL season approaches.
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Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) in action against the Houston Texans during the second quarter in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The Steelers could be faced with a very difficult decision on what to do with some players with hefty contracts after next year. Watt is 31 years old and has been with Pittsburgh since the 2017 season. He had 55 tackles, seven sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and eight pass deflections a season ago in 14 games played.
ESPN NFL Insider Believes That the Pittsburgh Steelers Could Trade T.J. Watt Next Year
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Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks to linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during the first half of an AFC Wild Card Round against the Houston Texans game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler wrote about potential moves that could happen before the 2027 NFL season. He thinks that the Steelers could trade Watt next offseason. Fowler said,
“To the point above: If the Steelers end up signing Herbig long term, having three large contracts allocated to one position is a tough proposition.
Watt, for all his greatness, turns 32 in October and has guaranteed salaries of $32 million in both 2026 and 2027.
Watt is a legacy player, something Pittsburgh values more than most. But some teams could see Pittsburgh at least considering moving on from him.”
Well, it is going to depend on how the 2026 season goes with the Steelers before making a decision on potentially shopping him elsewhere. If they were to trade Watt, it would potentially signal a rebuild for Pittsburgh which is something they don’t like to do also.
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