T.J. Watt’s massive payday just exposed the Steelers’ biggest roster flaw

T.J. Watt’s new contract has the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fan base beaming with pride as another future Hall of Famer is set up to retire having spent his entire career with the storied franchise. Becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL is a well-earned reward for the lifeblood of the roster.

Signing Watt to such an expensive extension was undoubtedly the right move for Pittsburgh. Based on the moves the team had made throughout this offseason, it was blatantly clear the team had zero interest in trading their best player. Now those rumors can be put to bed, and attention can turn toward training camp and the start of a new season.

Still, while it was the right move, the extension does highlight one glaring issue in the team’s roster-building strategy that hasn’t quite paid off yet.

The Steelers still are, and even more so now, employing the most expensive defense in the NFL. Watt is effectively, though certainly not monetarily, being paid like he’s the quarterback, the most important player on the roster. Meanwhile, the offense is one of the cheapest in the league, even with the additions of Aaron Rodgers and D.K. Metcalf.

T.J. Watt's extension proves the Pittsburgh Steelers are still betting big that defenses win championships

According to Over the Cap, Pittsburgh’s offense is the fourth-cheapest in the NFL, with $110,181,068 invested on that side of the ball. Defensively, the Steelers lead the league with $176,049,919 spent, which is over $25 million more than the next team, the New York Giants. It’s also more than any team in the NFL is spending on its offense this year.

Of course, many Steelers fans aren’t overly concerned with those rankings and numbers. For years, the defense has kept the franchise afloat, for better or worse. Lest we forget, the old cliche that “Defense wins championships” is ingrained in the roster philosophy of this franchise.

It’s a great ideal to hold to, after all, just look at the two best teams in the NFL and what is separating them from the elite teams that can’t seem to get past them consistently. The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs each have elite defenses to pair with their unstoppable offenses. Of course, the Eagles have the cheapest defense in the league.

All for what it’s worth, Watt turned in the worst statistical season of his incredible career that wasn’t heavily interrupted by injuries. In 17 games, he had 11.5 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, and 19 tackles for loss.

To be clear, it wasn’t a bad season, though his numbers did drop off a cliff alongside the Steelers through the final five games of the 2024 season. Still, those three stats were the lowest he’s had since 2019, except for 2022 when he missed seven games.

Pittsburgh’s expensive defense must deliver in 2025

Even at 31, Watt should rebound, though, and the idea that he should get to move around in the defense this year will be a big reason why if the Steelers follow through on it. Still, the defense as a whole didn’t live up to its gaudy price tag last year either. They finished the season ranked No. 6 against the run, but No. 25 against the pass. They were No. 8 in points allowed and tied for the league lead in forced turnovers.

Solid numbers all, but are they elite to the point that the Steelers are wholly justified in spending $25 million more on their defense than the next team?

The criticisms of this teambuilding strategy aren’t something new that comes along with Watt’s contract. It’s been the norm for some time. But after such a hefty investment on top of the all-in type of strategy that has been employed by the front office this offseason, expectations have to be met.

Watt can’t disappear down the stretch like he did last year. The defense can’t falter in December. The franchise needs a playoff win. Otherwise, those talking heads who keep bringing this stat up are just going to use the same argument about why this team is still so frustratingly stuck in neutral.