A Letter From the Editor: Do Steelers fans really want the team to trade T.J. Watt?
The contract situation between an NFL team and player can get dicey. Make that player an All-Pro at his position, and former Defensive Player of the Year who is looking for one more big-time pay day, and it gets even more difficult.
Welcome to the contract situation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and T.J. Watt.
Watt is a player who has been the gold standard for the Steelers since he was the team’s 1st Round draft pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. But, just like in 2021, when Watt had been looking for a new deal, it hasn’t come easy.
The fan base sees things in two general facets:
- Watt is a dynamic player who still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
- Watt is also on the wrong side of 30, and paying a player a king’s ransom would be difficult for the long term success of the team.
There are other areas of focus for the fan base in these tense negotiations, but there is a growing, and louder, sect of the fan base who is screaming for the Steelers to part ways with Watt. It doesn’t help when people like Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan and many others gas light the fan base with “reports” and “rumors” signaling a tense negotiation between Watt and the Steelers.
Mark Kaboly, of the Pat McAfee show, stated there is plenty of work to be done, but the deal is likely to be done similar to the 2021 deal…at the witching hour.
Steelers are still in a holding pattern with T.J. Watt’s contract extension. Length of deal, guarantees and total value — basically everything, to some varying degrees — are the sticking points right now.
Even so, there is no anticipation for Watt to holdout when camp starts… pic.twitter.com/PoVTbqU6VF
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) July 11, 2025
What I find humorous, and even confusing, is how there are so many fans who are up-in-arms over a situation which they have absolutely no idea what is fact or fiction. They have nothing tangible to actually gripe about.
“They shouldn’t pay him $40 million a year!”
Who said that is the asking price from Watt’s camp?
“A fully guaranteed deal is ridiculous!”
Again, there is nothing tangible to point to which would say this is even a thing.
If, or should I say when, the Steelers sign Watt to a new deal, it is at that point where you will be able to look at the contract in its entirety and make an educated opinion of it. In the meantime, why are we getting upset over something which hasn’t happened, and also which we don’t know is factual?
Some fans have gotten so perturbed by the situation they are calling for Watt to be traded, like Minkah Fitzpatrick just over a week ago. Would this make sense for the organization? Would Watt actually fetch multiple first round picks, as many are assuming who are screaming for his dismissal via trade?
My bigger question is do you, the fan, really want the team to trade Watt?
I don’t. Not in the slightest.
That doesn’t mean I don’t have some trepidation when it comes to the contract I expect the team to give him, but that doesn’t mean I want the team to trade him for future assets. If there is someone I trust with making a deal which is both fair to Watt, and provide the organization with financial flexibility, it would be Omar Khan.
If the team signed Watt to a 4-year extension, it would sound insane. However, those extra years would provide the Steelers not only the chance to move money around to help ease the salary cap burden, but also cut ties with Watt after the first two years of the extension if he is not performing to the organization’s standard.
To me, that is the true hold up in these negotiations, but I also don’t know for certain. It’s just my opinion.
To wrap this up, I would warn people to guard where they get their information from regarding this situation. Some people are just trying to get fans fired up, and the Steelers faithful usually comply. Instead, wait to see what the Steelers and Watt do, then react accordingly…whichever way you feel is best.
In the meantime, let’s get ready for the Steelers to report back to training camp next Wednesday on July 23rd!
I want them to make the best decision for the team. As you stated it’s hard to know what that is because we don’t have the info, but I wall say if there’s a team offering TWO firsts I’m taking that deal. If the offer is ONE second, and a day three pick I’m laughing that offer out of the room.
I’ve written this here before; the Steelers can afford to meet Watt’s demands because they’re more than 4 years from needing to pay a QB, so why not just make him a one helmet guy. Well, money, that’s why.
I think a fair number for Watt is 30 – 35M, but 40+ is the assumption because the Browns again effed the market by overpaying a player they probably could have signed for 35M. They acquiesced to Garrett, and now the league has to deal with the fallout. So if an overpay is deemed best for the team, I’m ok with it. If allowing him to play out his deal and walk is the way they go ok. If they decide to trade him I’ll live with that too. Bottom line is they know him better than anyone so I they have my complete confidence in this negotiation.
Exactly, though I would set my bottom line at a current starter plus a ’26 1st-round pick. T.J. ~\= 1/4 of the sacks, top in TFLs, and good run defense. A lot to give up, unless the idea is to “soft tank”… Browns are excellent at effing salary up.
I personally think it’s a bit silly to be on the “trade him” bandwagon. He’s arguably the best player on the roster and straight up indispensable. Who could make an immediate impact if they traded him? Yes, Herbig is a damn good player, but you have Moon and Welschof behind him, both of which are pretty much special teamers.
The three main arguments are: the team can’t afford him, they need draft capital for a QB, and he’s too old. These myths can be debunked.
(NOTE: In these points, I’m making the assumption it’s a 4-year ~$40 million/year deal)
A.) Dave probably has the details (I would honestly love to see an article talking about the financial implications), but if the team moved money around, they could most certainly pay him. “But they need to pay a QB”… False. Will Howard is on a rookie deal. If (when) they draft a QB next year, they will be on a rookie deal. Both deals would be after TJ’s contract expires.
B.) The team is smarter than armchair GMs when it comes draft picks. They have up to 12 picks this year already and likely 7(?) next year. And we all know Khan knows how to wheel and deal. So please stop with the “they need 49238 draft picks to get a QB this year”. As for future picks? They surely can find other ways to cross that bridge without losing TJ.
C.) People think just because he’s 30, there’s going to an immediate, steep drop off in performance. He’d be 34 at the end of his deal which, while you might see decreased numbers, it’s not like he’d end up looking like he was playing in molasses.
OK, rant over. TL;DR I trust the front office and I know they’ll come to some sort of agreement to extend him.
Yeah, good TL;DR.
There’s one other thing that has fans worked up over and that is lack of late season production in 2024 and his overall production in the playoffs. I get it though but look at the regular season in terms of wins and losses without him in or out of the game. Fans are quick to throw up Tomlin’s regular season numbers in defense of the current head coach. You can’t have it both ways. TJ has been all world for this franchise and yes there comes a time when hard decisions are made. I’m not sure we are at that point yet. Would we like to see his sack production to mirror that of his DPOY award? Duh, but he still finished 4th in DPOY award, count how many defensive players there are in the league. Putting personal biases aside, mostly due to the contract size, he has finished in the Top 4 in DPOY in 4 out the last 5 seasons. The one year he wasn’t in the running was due to an injury.
In 2019 he finished 3rd in voting with 14.5 sacks 8 PD 8 FF 4 FR 55 combined tackles 14 TFL 36 QB Hits 51 pressures and 28 hurries
In 2024 he finished 4th in voting with 11.5 sacks 4 PD 6 FF 2 FR 61 combined tackles 19 TFL 27 QB Hits 57 pressures and 28 hurries
He still is considered one of the better run defenders at his position. Although the missed tackle rate needs to be cleaned up and his Superman persona has been met with some kryptonite with those chips from opposing offenses but I wouldn’t write off #90 just yet folks. Those stat lines above are rather close in numbers considering the time stamp and age.
My biggest fear is the timing of it all. I know Watt takes care of his body and all but I would like for him to be in camp. Doing football things that are associated with the game……sorry I had to go inner Tomlin there.
Go Steelers
Pgh coaches and players can help mitigate those chips… Pgh has a 1-10 record when T.J. doesn’t piay.
TJ also has to help himself. I understand the comfort level of lining up on the same side every snap but it just makes the OCs and the players jobs easier. He has to reinvent himself and hopefully he worked on that uncomfortable right side stance.
The coaches could but I will save that rant for another day.
HUA, and it’s more getting that chipping RB into a dilemma (should I move to pick up another rushing defender insead of 90) rather than switching T.J.’s rushing side, IMO. There are three other rushers (min) per pass attempt… two beside Heyward, so where the Heck are they? It’d also be great for T.J. to stay healthier… the offense could help with this.
Totally agree. 3 guys are paying Watt some sort of attention, how is it the other guys are not getting home?? Also, hey Austin, you know other teams are this overly committed to TJ, where oh where is the counter punch where you make them pay for that level of attention?? There should be many ways to make another team pay for selling out to stop Watt without moving him.
Even simple-minded edge-DT stunting. Goes to DL entropy.