The Pittsburgh Steelers have a decision to make on their superstar, TJ Watt. With the market ballooning for pass rushers, the price for a player of Watt's caliber is at an all-time high. As star pass rushers continue to break the bank, the Steelers will need to decide whether they can meet Watt’s asking price, which will undoubtedly be expensive. However, many Steelers fans believe that it’s well worth the investment, considering Watt’s immense impact on the team.
Watt has been the reason the Steelers have remained competitive despite inconsistent offensive play for many seasons. His ability to disrupt games, pressure quarterbacks, and be a game-changer on defense has kept the team in contention year after year. While some wild ideas about the Steelers potentially parting ways with Watt have been floated, it seems highly unlikely that they will let him leave Pittsburgh, given his integral role on the defense.
Entering the final year of his current deal, Watt will need a new contract for the 2026 season. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has offered his best advice on what Watt and the team should do in regard to his contract situation on his podcast Footbahlin. Roethlisberger’s insights could help give context to the decision, but it ultimately remains to be seen how the Steelers will navigate this critical negotiation. It doesn't seem likely that Pittsburgh would let Watt leave the Steel City.
"Yeah, I mean the only reason it could be not quite as big is because he’s a little bit older," Roethlisberger said. "The only reason. The only reason. I think if you are TJ, you can take a shorter year deal, like two to three years for a high average per year and then in three years, I can either retire or try to go to a contender that will have a real chance to win if the Steelers haven’t done that yet."
Watt is 30 years old, and while he’s still considered one of the best defensive players in the league, his body has undoubtedly taken a beating over the years. It’s unclear how much longer he can maintain that elite level of play. However, as Roethlisberger has advised, a two to three-year deal would give Watt flexibility and allow the Steelers to justify their massive financial commitment. This contract would essentially give Watt one last chance to help the Steelers become legitimate contenders again. If the team hasn’t figured it out by then, he may have the opportunity to pursue a championship with another contender.
The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and Watt, despite his individual success, has never won one himself. This playoff drought undoubtedly weighs heavily on his shoulders, as he’s one of the faces of the team and its defense. The pressure is mounting not just for Watt, but for other stars like Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick, to make meaningful playoff runs before it’s too late. The clock is ticking for these superstars, and they haven’t yet had the postseason success their talent deserves.
Ultimately, the pressure to end this playoff drought and bring meaningful success to Pittsburgh is on the Steelers' leadership and star players. Time is running out, and it’s critical that players like Watt and Heyward leave a legacy of winning, or risk being remembered as elite talents without postseason glory. The coming years will be pivotal in determining whether these players can guide the Steelers to a championship or if they’ll be left with unfulfilled potential. The next few seasons could define their legacies and the team’s future.
Steelers May Mirror Their Approach With Cam Heyward For TJ Watt's Contract Negotiation
In the 2024 offseason, Heyward made the rare decision to skip organized team activities for the first time in his career, as he sought a new contract. His absence was brief, and the Steelers quickly worked out a deal that was beneficial for both sides. This move appears to set a precedent for how the team might approach Watt's contract situation.
While some have argued that the Steelers made a mistake by letting the market for pass rushers inflate before negotiating with Watt, it’s clear that his price tag is now much higher, making the situation more complex. However, it’s likely the Steelers will take a similar approach with Watt, aiming to find a resolution that aligns with both the player’s worth and the team's financial strategy.
