The Pittsburgh Steelers have been fortunate to have TJ Watt wreaking havoc on their defense for several seasons. His greatness has become so expected that when he doesn’t make those game-changing plays, some fans tend to downplay his impact. Toward the end of the 2024 season, TJ played through injury and couldn’t produce at his usual level, leading to criticism from both fans and the media, as well as scrutiny of the entire team and coaching staff.
Now, as TJ enters the final year of his contract, many expect the Steelers to take care of that extension. It’s hard to imagine TJ finishing his career anywhere else unless both he and the team mutually agree to part ways. TJ has been one of the NFL’s elite players throughout his entire career, but despite that, he has yet to win a playoff game.
"The earlier you get the deal done, the better deal you get. That's just a fact," JJ said. "That's why, my personal belief, they should have done it last year because I think there was a hometown discount to be had last year. But now the longer you wait this year, you've got Micah [Parsons] coming up. Like you said, you got Aidan Hutchinson, you got Myles [Garrett]. These guys are getting new deals."
JJ highlighted several elite defensive players in the league who are poised to land massive contracts, and he believes the Steelers' delay in securing TJ’s extension has cost them any chance at a hometown discount.
As a result, TJ is now likely to command a deal worth more than what Crosby just received. At the very least, he likely won’t settle for less than what Crosby just received. This clearly shows that the market has shifted, and the Steelers have cost themselves money by waiting to finalize TJ’s deal.
"That number's gonna inch closer to four in front of it than threes," JJ said. "So you're gonna want to get that done earlier rather than later because the price isn't going down."
TJ's current market value is around $32.2 million, and with Crosby recently signing a three-year deal worth $106.5 million, including $91.5 million guaranteed, it's reasonable to expect that Watt could secure a similar deal.
However, what's crucial about TJ is his focus on winning—something he hasn’t fully achieved in the NFL yet. At 30 years old and aware that his prime won’t last forever, there’s growing speculation about whether TJ’s priority is securing a massive paycheck, chasing a Super Bowl ring, or perhaps finding a balance between both.
Steelers' TJ Watt Knows His Value
While TJ undoubtedly wants to win, he also understands his immense value to the organization, much like Cam Heyward. We've seen NFL superstars take pay cuts to help build a championship-caliber roster, but typically, that’s been quarterbacks. TJ could follow suit, structuring a deal that works in his favor without putting the Steelers' cap space in jeopardy.
Regardless, the Steelers have cost themselves a significant chunk of money by waiting on TJ's deal. Fans are eagerly awaiting the final number, and it’s expected that an agreement will be reached soon. Talks are ongoing, and although some believe trading TJ might be the best option, the Steelers seem determined to keep him. It’s looking more and more likely that TJ will retire a Steeler but at an expensive cost.
