Pittsburgh Steelers superstar pass rusher, TJ Watt has been one of the best players in the entire NFL ever since he entered the league. In the 2023 season, Watt was wrongfully robbed of winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award in the eyes of many. The award went to Cleveland Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett, which sparked an intense debate about who is truly the better player. As both players continue to dominate their respective defenses, the rivalry between Watt and Garrett remains a hot topic among fans and analysts alike.
In the 2025 offseason, Garrett signed a massive $40 million per year deal, which came after he initially expressed a desire to leave Cleveland. Now, he’s back with the Browns, securing his future in Cleveland and setting a new benchmark for pass rusher contracts. As Garrett's deal makes waves across the NFL, all eyes are on the Steelers and what they will do with their star defensive player, Watt. With Watt entering the final years of his contract, questions loom about whether he will be staying in Pittsburgh long-term.
Watt is set to be a free agent in the 2026 offseason, but it’s expected that the Steelers will extend him before that happens. Many Steelers fans are eager to know what price it will take to keep Watt in the Steel City, given his immense value to the team. NFL insider Dianna Russini provided some clarity on the situation in her latest article for The Athletic, offering insights into what could be in store for Watt and the Steelers as they navigate his contract extension in the near future.
"He still plays at an elite level, but turns 31 in October and is in the final year of his contract," Russini said. "It feels unlikely he tops Garrett’s mark, but expect any extension to beat that signed by the Texans’ Danielle Hunter ($35.6 million APY)."
The Houston Texans’ star pass rusher, Danielle Hunter, recently signed a deal worth an average of $35.6 million per year, and Russini believes that Watt will command more than that. However, she also made a revealing point, noting that it’s unlikely Watt will top the $40 million per year deal that Garrett received from the Browns. This insight gives Steeler Nation a better idea of what the price tag for Watt’s future contract could look like, setting a clear ceiling for negotiations.
Watt has already established himself as one of the greatest Steelers of all-time, but as his prime years begin to dwindle, securing a lucrative deal becomes crucial. With Watt’s potential for postseason success still unfulfilled, there is an urgency for him to get his money and be positioned for a chance at playoff glory. Despite his individual achievements, Watt has never won a playoff game, a painful reality for Steelers fans who know he deserves better. Fans are eager to see Watt, along with veteran stars like Cam Heyward, experience those memorable postseason moments that have eluded them for so long.
Steelers Could Let TJ Watt Leave For A Contender
There has been speculation that Watt could explore options with a contender, potentially signing a shorter deal that allows him to leave in a few years if the Steelers fail to end their playoff drought. If Pittsburgh doesn’t emerge as a true Super Bowl contender, Watt might seek to chase that elusive postseason success elsewhere. However, the Steelers remain hopeful that with the right moves and a commitment to building a championship roster, they can convince Watt to stay and help lead them to the promised land.
The Steelers are determined to see their legendary pass rusher, Watt, make a deep run into the postseason, something that has sadly eluded him so far. Despite his individual greatness, the team has yet to provide the playoff success he deserves. However, it appears that Watt will be a key part of Pittsburgh’s future, with a new deal on the horizon that will undoubtedly be expensive.
Once that contract is done, Watt will face a critical decision: whether he believes the Steelers can build a contender around him or if he needs to seek a championship opportunity elsewhere to finish his career. For now, though, it seems Watt’s time in Pittsburgh isn’t ending anytime soon, and fans are hopeful that the team will make the necessary moves to give him the postseason moments he’s long deserved.
