Steelers Could Be Hitting A Strange Hiccup In Extending TJ Watt As The 2025 NFL Season Approaches

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a major storyline in the NFL world throughout the 2025 offseason. At first it was because of the organization's quarterback situation, and the fact that the room was being completely turned over for the second year in a row. Pittsburgh was in pursuit of Aaron Rodgers for nearly three months, and various news sources discussed the situation constantly. The four-time league MVP finally signed at the beginning of June, and now the focus of the Steelers is on extending star outside linebacker, TJ Watt. 

Watt is entering the final year of his current contract, and the star defender is seeking a new, multi-year extension. Watt originally wanted the extension to be done during the 2024 offseason, but the organization decided not to do that, which wound up being a bad decision. Now, players like Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby have reset the market, meaning Pittsburgh is likely going to have to pay Watt more money.

A factor that usually holds up contract negotiations is guaranteed money. Players want their guaranteed money as it cannot be taken from them. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly spoke about the contract situation on a recent episode of Kaboly & Mack, and he shared an interesting perspective.

"If I'm TJ Watt and I'm 31, 32, I'm getting 40 guaranteed [yr 1], 40 guaranteed [yr 2], hypothetically," Kaboly explained. "Otherwise I can go and move on after if I want to. Someone else is going to pay you money. Could be this team, could not be. I would not say I want a long-term deal that's four or five years. Maybe that's where it's a hold up."

Kaboly hinted at the possibility that Watt could want less years on his deal. Hypothetically, if he were to sign a two-year deal, he would be signed through the 2027 season. This would give the edge rusher more guaranteed money and keep him in Pittsburgh for a little while longer, but it will also allow him to pursue an opportunity elsewhere eventually.

Garrett's deal was worth $160 million over four seasons, and he received $123.5 million guaranteed. Watt would want something similar if he was going to get a four-year deal, or he could ask for something shorter, but still lucrative when it comes to the guaranteed money. 

The ask from the Steelers could also change as the offseason moves along. Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys is still awaiting a contract extension, and there is a very high likelihood that he becomes the highest-paid defender in the NFL. He is younger than Watt and Garrett, and he is also more versatile in terms of where he can line up on the defensive side of the ball. Another defender to keep an eye on is Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals, who has been in a contract dispute with the organization for quite some time. He could be traded and sign a new deal elsewhere, or the Bengals could ink a deal with the edge rusher.

Steelers' TJ Watt Has No Reason To Sign A Deal Quickly

Watt could wait until the beginning of September to sign a new extension. He is 31-years-old and doesn't necessarily need training camp. The organization likely trusts him to get himself in shape before the start of the season, which is exactly what he did back in 2021 while awaiting his first extension. 

If he decides to wait until September to sign a new deal, he could miss training camp while also giving Parsons and Hendrickson plenty of time to sign a new deal. If that happens, Watt's asking price can go up as the market will likely be reset once again.