One year remains on T.J. Watt‘s contract, and he could be the next high-profile edge rusher in the NFL to secure a notable payday. An extension is known to be on the Steelers’ to-do list, and further signs are pointing to one being worked out. 
When speaking to the media about Watt’s situation and the shifting financial landscape for edge rushers, general manager Omar Khan replied, “I’ll just say that I’m very hopeful that T.J. will finish his career as a Steeler” (h/t team reporter Dave Lolley). Pittsburgh has seen Maxx Crosby (Raiders) and, shortly thereafter, Myles Garrett (Browns) reset the position’s market this offseason. The latter is now attached to an AAV of $40MM.
Watt’s current deal – his 2021 extension – is worth just over $28MM on average. The former Defensive Player of the Year is in line for a raise based on the continued upward movement of the cap, although it remains to be seen what the terms of a third Steelers contract will look like. Watt has previously indicated his desire to remain in Pittsburgh past the coming campaign, so a mutual interest between team and player should help yield progress at the negotiating table.
Stating an extension for the seven-time Pro Bowler is “just a matter of when and how much,” Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show predicts Watt will agree to a pact in the range of three years and $105MM in new money. He adds it is unlikely an extension will move the 30-year-old back to the top of the position’s pecking order, but a renewed commitment will of course represent a major cap commitment for Pittsburgh. Watt has logged a full season each of the past two years, totaling 30.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles during that stretch. While age will be a consideration in his case, expectations will be high once a new pact is in hand.
The Steelers already have Alex Highsmith on the books for another three years (although none of his scheduled base salaries over that stretch are guaranteed). The former third-rounder has proven to be an effective complementary option to Watt, recording at least six sacks each year since becoming a full-time starter. Highsmith’s scheduled cap hits range from $18.6MM to $21.1MM, though, so keeping Watt in the fold on a more lucrative deal will bring about financial challenges for Pittsburgh.
Watt is currently scheduled to collect $21.05MM next season with a cap hit of $30.42MM. An extension could lower the latter figure while meeting the team’s goal of keeping him in the fold for the foreseeable future. No timeline is in place for an agreement to be worked out, but doing so before the likes of Micah Parsons, Trey Hendrickson and Aidan Hutchinson have new deals with their respective teams would likely allow for a lower price tag.
Do we believe Omar??
He can be such a KHAN Artist….
I would trade Watt. At least a first and second round pick. Then they can get their future QB, Dart, and the running back and defensive lineman with 2 picks in round 1 and 1 pick in round 2.
Watt is getting older and can be replaced. Great player, but Steelers must meet their greatest needs. Only way is to trade Watt for draft choices.
Great player but he wants paid as a great, naturally.
So many holes here they can’t address because of the hit they take with he and Minkah
If you had a for sure franchise QB in this draft, you might make that case. But trading Watt, who is still in the running to be the best defensive player in the league in any given year, for a gamble on an RPO QB who will probably be available when you pick is not the best way to improve your team.
Dart may or may not be good in the NFL, but trading a franchise player for a player with questions (who, again, could possibly be on the board when you pick) is not the best use of your draft value.
A pick next year? Maybe, if you get a good deal. Watt could easily be a high level player for the next three years, and the Steelers really aren’t far from being competitive. This isn’t Cleveland here with one great player and a bad roster. Pittsburgh has holes, but not so many that they can’t be filled in a year or two. If you trade Watt, you need something back that will end up with greater value. I’m not sure that Dart is it.
Disagree with a few points here
First off, why does Dart remind me of Kenny Pickett? You never know who will pan out, of course, but I see a real difference between him and Shadeur.
I want to believe in the Steelers but just can’t
Their O-line is still a huge question mark and that tends to negate the two wideouts they have
And their D-line is porous. I haven’t seen opposing backs going through this line like this since before Mean Joe was drafted
Allowing Elandon Roberts to go was a mistake
Good run stopper
And their secondary additions are questionable, at best. They have Elliott back there, which is a plus. But they insist on playing Minkah in deep centerfield, which lessens his effectiveness. And to me, there are few DB’s more overrated than Porter
Compare them with the real contenders in the AFC and it’s laughable.
Me? I trade up to get Shadeur ( they won’t) or grab a QB in the 3rd or 4th and hire a legit QB coach. Then I go with Mason this season and hope the kid I drafted opens eyes. If not, draft one again in ‘26
But by all accounts, they’re gonna go with Rodgers. Kicking the franchise QB idea down the road again
Just tossing out my annual gripe on TJ Watt: He should have been a Packer!
The Packers traded their first-round pick, No. 29 overall, to the Cleveland Browns. In exchange, they received the Browns’ second-round pick, No. 33 overall, and a fourth-round pick, No. 108 overall.
Watt was drafted 30 by the Steelers.
Alright. Carry on.
Vince Biegel could still turn things around.
If only!
Oh well. Wudda, coulda, shoulda
Yeah. And Danny Marino shoulda been a Steeler. I feel your pain
He needs to come home to Wisconsin and play for the packers his last few seasons
gotta trade him. he’s not worth $40 mill a year when he’s in his 30s. he’s only going to go down hill from here