As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for training camp and the 2025 season, they will now do so knowing that they’ve officially locked up one of the NFL’s premier pass rushers.
On Thursday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Watt agreed to a three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers. The deal includes $108 million fully guaranteed at signing and carries a $41 million average annual value, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
This extension follows Watt’s decision to skip voluntary and mandatory minicamps as negotiations progressed.
Both sides ultimately finalized terms just days before the Steelers’ veterans report to camp on Wednesday, ensuring Watt will enter the season fully committed to Pittsburgh.
Shortly after the agreement was confirmed, his brother, former Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt, chimed in on X with three words: “Earned. Deserved. Incredible. @_TJWatt. @steelers.”
Drafted 30th overall in 2017 out of Wisconsin, T.J. Watt has earned seven Pro Bowl selections (2018-2024) and four First-team All-Pro nods (2019–2021, 2023), along with Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021.
In 2021, he tied Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record with 22.5, matching an NFL mark that stood for two decades.
As of the end of the 2024 regular season, T.J. Watt had accumulated 108 career sacks, making him the Steelers’ all-time leader in that category and the second-fastest player in NFL history to reach 100 sacks, behind only Reggie White.
Locking up T.J. Watt secures the centerpiece of Pittsburgh’s defensive identity for the next three seasons.
Entering his age-31 season, however, he will be under immense pressure to sustain elite play, especially as Pittsburgh chases its first playoff win since 2017.
ESPN BET Sportsbook has set the Steelers’ win total over/under at 8.5 games, a mark they’ve surpassed in 10 of the last 11 NFL seasons.
Despite adding DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith and Aaron Rodgers in the offseason, experts are skeptical given the uncertainty surrounding Rodgers and the strength of the AFC North.
