Aaron Rodgers’ Full Steelers Contract Details Revealed
Aaron Rodgers finally put pen to paper in Pittsburgh last week, signing a one-year deal for the lowest APY of his career since his rookie contract 20 years ago.
Rodgers’ pact with the Steelers has a base value of $13.65MM, comprised of a $3.65MM salary and a $10MM signing bonus that represents all of his guaranteed money, per OverTheCap. With incentives, he can reach $19.5MM, though he and the Steelers will have to reach some significant benchmarks to realize that maximum value.
The $5.85MM of incentives in Rodgers’ contract are all predicated on the 41-year-old quarterback playing at least 70% of the Steelers’ offensive snaps, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, a mark he easily eclipsed last year in New York. However, he cannot earn any extra money based on playtime alone, as the incentives are largely dependent on Pittsburgh’s performance in 2025.
Rodgers will earn $500K if the Steelers qualify for the postseason. That’s his only incentive that is considered ‘Likely To Be Earned’ as Pittsburgh made the playoffs last year and Rodgers played 97% of the Jets’ offensive snaps. LTBE incentives have to be accounted for on the salary cap, so Rodgers’ 2025 cap hit will be $14.15MM.
Neither Rodgers nor the Steelers fulfilled the rest of his incentives in 2024, so they are all considered ‘Not Likely To Be Earned’ and therefore do not count against the 2025 cap. He can receive an additional $600K if the Steelers advance to the second round of the playoffs via either a wild-card win or a first-round bye, and another $750K is available for a win in the divisional round. Rodgers can then earn $1MM for advancing to the Super Bowl and $1.5MM for a Super Bowl victory, though all of his playoff incentives require him to play at least 50% of each game’s snaps.
Rodgers will also receive $1.5MM if he wins a fifth MVP award that would tie him for the all-time lead with Peyton Manning. Since no NFL player has won MVP without making the playoffs in more than 50 years, Rodgers would likely earn upwards of $2MM if he manages to take home the hardware.
The Steelers have been a playoff mainstay under Mike Tomlin, and Rodgers is likely their best starting quarterback in years. However, Pittsburgh hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016, making it no certainty that Rodgers can reach the maximum value of his contract.
Steelers’ T.J. Watt Not Present At Minicamp
When T.J. Watt‘s previous contract year arrived, he reported to Steelers minicamp and staged a training camp hold-in. This preceded a monster extension agreed upon days before the 2021 season. This time around, the future Hall of Fame edge rusher is taking a different route.
Watt did not show for the first day of Steelers minicamp, ESPN.com’s Brooke Pryor notes. This came after The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicated the former Defensive Player of the Year was not expected to report for the mandatory set of workouts. Missing all three days will cost Watt just more than $104K; he made $21.1MM in base salary last season.
Minicamp absences have ticked up in recent years, and Watt will opt to make a point rather than take the hold-in route. Considering his importance to the Steelers’ mission — one that now officially includes a 41-year-old quarterback — Watt holding out at training camp would apply some pressure on the Steelers, who regularly use the late-summer camp period to hammer out extensions with the players they deem priorities. Watt is obviously one, as the Aaron Rodgers signing moves the OLB’s contract to the top of that list.
This is not viewed as a particularly contentious situation, though Watt’s minicamp absence is certainly not ideal for the AFC North team. Going into his ninth year with the Steelers, Watt has established himself as one of the most important defenders in modern NFL history. The Steelers are 1-10 without Watt in the lineup. Fortunately for Pittsburgh’s annual tightrope walk to playoff contention, the superstar pass rusher played in every game over the past two years.
Watt’s potential holdout comes amid a transformation for the edge rusher market. Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and Danielle Hunter moved the market past $35MM per year. Garrett secured a $40MM-per-year accord. He and Watt’s careers having traversed parallel paths, save for a rather notable suspension handed to the Browns’ premier rusher, points to Watt wanting to reach that price range as well. Watt, though, is more than a year older than Garrett; he will turn 31 in October. Micah Parsons will also be interested in where Watt’s third contract comes in, as he can use his age (26) to leverage the Cowboys into making him the NFL’s highest-paid defender. Aidan Hutchinson‘s camp will be closely monitoring the Pittsburgh proceedings as well, but one of these players obviously will need to go first this summer.
The Steelers’ $28MM-per-year Watt extension stood as the league’s top EDGE deal for two years, before Nick Bosa‘s $34MM-AAV re-up moved the market. It took until this offseason for Bosa’s 49ers deal to be topped, but less accomplished edge performers Brian Burns and Josh Hines-Allen also topped Watt’s AAV in 2024. It is not known if the Steelers have submitted an offer in the Garrett range; based on Watt skipping OTAs and now Day 1 of minicamp, it would be safe to bet that has not happened. This deal may well end up costing more than the Steelers expected.
Steelers GM Omar Khan naturally wants Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh, and another deal before a contract year commences will be expected (as the Steelers do not negotiate in-season). While it would be unexpected that this Watt saga drags to the 2026 franchise tag deadline, that would be a weapon the Steelers can use if no common ground can be reached by Week 1.
Steelers Preferred Matthew Stafford, Justin Fields To Aaron Rodgers?
The Steelers have Aaron Rodgers under contract in time for minicamp, meaning the team will have its expected quarterback starter for 2025. Other options received consideration this offseason, though, and it appears at least two of them were higher on Pittsburgh’s wishlist. 
During an appearance on Get Up, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Rodgers represented the Steelers’ third choice at the quarterback spot (video link). Schefter notes Pittsburgh first attempted to work out a trade with the Rams for Matthew Stafford this offseason. The Super Bowl winner wound up remaining in Los Angeles on another revised contract, but a number of suitors showed interest in a trade before that agreement was reached.
The Steelers were among them, with a February report linking them to Stafford. Pittsburgh checked in with the Rams on that front, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated writes, but the team doubted a departure from Los Angles was realistic. Likewise, interest was shown in Kirk Cousins, but at no point was he regarded as a preferred option to Rodgers.
Per Schefter and Breer, the Steelers’ efforts were aimed first at re-signing Justin Fields before serious Rodgers consideration took place. Pittsburgh was well known to have interest in keeping one of Fields or 2024 starter Russell Wilson for the coming season. The Jets – having released Rodgers with the arrival of a new HC-GM combination – provided Fields with an unquestioned starter’s role on a two-year pact, however. Once he agreed to head to New York, Rodgers became one of the best veteran options on the market.
The 41-year-old visited the Steelers early in free agency, and he and head coach Mike Tomlin remained in touch throughout the spring. As Breer notes, that communication played a key role in Pittsburgh’s ongoing confidence that a deal would eventually be worked out. He adds much of the legwork regarding the contract details have been in place since March, leaving only certain aspects of its structure to be finalized recently.
Rodgers will receive $10MM in guarantees and $5.85MM in incentives could increase his earnings for the campaign. The four-time MVP’s pact stands in contrast to what Fields received from the Jets ($40MM over two years, including $30MM fully guaranteed) and Stafford’s new Rams arrangement ($84MM across the 2025 and ’26 seasons, up from the $58MM he was originally owed). At a discounted price compared to the top of the position’s market in particular, it will be interesting to see how Rodgers fares with his third career team.
Stafford declined to join teams such as the Raiders and Giants despite their willingness to reach the $50MM-per-year mark. Fields, meanwhile, understandably departed on the open market after Tomlin elected to keep Wilson ahead of him on the depth chart once both passers were healthy last season. It took until well after the draft and through much of OTAs for the Rodgers acquisition to become official, but Pittsburgh’s apparent Plan C under center is now set to take shape.
Steelers Pursued WR Chris Godwin In Free Agency; Latest On Patriots’ Offer
Chris Godwin re-signed with the Buccaneers in free agency in a move which will allow him to remain a member of the only NFL team he has played for. The Pro Bowl wideout elected to do so despite notable interest from multiple suitors. 
The Patriots were known to be in the market for a notable free agent addition at the WR spot. New England eventually inked Stefon Diggs, but before that the team also made a strong push for Godwin. The Pats wrote “blank checks” in the latter’s case, and further details on that front have emerged.
Godwin told The Athletic’s Dan Pompei New England offered him $30MM per year (subscription required). His latest Bucs pact, by contrast, carries an AAV of $22MM. Choosing to remain in Tampa Bay involved turning down considerably more money from the Patriots (whose offer could have increased even further), but three other key suitors were involved in this case as well.
The Steelers were one of them, Godwin added. That comes as little surprise, of course, given Pittsburgh’s long-running pursuit of a high-profile wideout. Well before their D.K. Metcalf acquisition, the team was heavily involved in efforts to land Brandon Aiyuk; Christian Kirk was also a target ahead of the 2024 trade deadline. With George Pickens no longer in place, the Steelers have signed Robert Woods but they are still in the market for pass-catching help.
Godwin would have provided New England or Pittsburgh with an upgrade at the receiver position, but he will instead remain a key factor in Tampa Bay’s passing game. The 29-year-old has topped 1,000 yards four times in his Bucs tenure, and he was averaging over 82 yards per game (the second-highest figure of his career) before his 2024 campaign came to an end. Despite the injury to his ankle – among other ailments – he was recovering from, Godwin drew plenty of interest as a potential free agent. His preference was to remain in a familiar setting and by doing so continue his partnership with fellow wideout Mike Evans.
“It’s not always the case that you are surrounded by a ton of good people who care about the right things, who have similar goals and treat people with respect,” Godwin said. “The first thing for me is I want to work with people that I enjoy it with.”
Evans is under contract for one more season, so his productive tandem with Godwin will continue in 2025. The latter will stay in place beyond the coming campaign given his latest commitment to Tampa Bay, one which included turning aside lucrative opportunities from a number of suitors to depart.
Latest On Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers Deal
10:31pm: Rodgers passed his physical and officially signed his contract with the Steelers on Saturday, according to Rapoport. It’s a one-year deal with a base value of $13.65MM and $10MM in guaranteed money, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Playtime and team performance incentives could boost Rodgers’ earnings to a maximum of $19.5MM.
With the i’s dotted and the t’s crossed, Rodgers is now set to participate in Pittsburgh’s mandatory minicamp next week.
12:01pm: The Steelers’ monthslong pursuit of Aaron Rodgers is all but over. The four-time MVP just has to pass a physical before formally signing in Pittsburgh to take over as the team’s starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
Rodgers’ physical should happen in the coming days, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, likely by the time the Steelers’ minicamp starts on Tuesday. Rodgers will have three days to familiarize himself with his new teammates, coaches, and playbook before the team breaks for the summer until training camp kicks off in July. According to Rapoport, the Steelers and others familiar with the veteran quarterback’s thinking were expecting this timeline all along.
However, unlike his move to New York, Rodgers doesn’t have an established rapport with his new coaches and teammates. The Jets hired former Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett and signed longtime Rodgers teammate Allen Lazard in anticipation of the veteran quarterback’s arrival in 2023, but Pittsburgh made no such moves this offseason. Rodgers did practice with D.K. Metcalf this offseason, but he has no playing history with Steelers OC Arthur Smith or any of the team’s offensive weapons.
Details of Rodgers’ deal with the Steelers remain unknown. The base salary is expected to be in the $10MM range floated by Rodgers back in April, per Rapoport, with incentives that could reach $20MM at most.
That would be the lowest APY of Rodgers’ career outside of his rookie contract. Rapoport suggested that Rodgers was willing to take an inexpensive deal to help the Steelers bolster their roster around him, but it’s unlikely he could have earned more elsewhere after receiving little interest from other teams this offseason.
The end to the Steelers-Rodgers saga also has implications for other teams, according to Mark Maske of The Washington Post. The Vikings briefly flirted with signing Rodgers earlier in the offseason but appeared to close the door on the idea soon after. That door is now locked, solidifying J.J. McCarthy as Minnesota’s unquestioned starter this season. The Steelers were also the last potential trade destination for Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, likely keeping him in Atlanta for another year as Michael Penix‘s backup.
Poll: Which WR Trade Will Prove Most Beneficial?
The 2025 offseason has seen a number of high-profile receivers change teams via free agency. The likes of Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp and DeAndre Hopkins have undertaken a change of scenery so far. The same will also soon be true of Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper. 
This spring has also provided notable moves at the position via trade, however. A total of four swaps including wideouts have taken place in 2025; in three of those cases, the player included in the deal changed teams for the first time in their career. For all squads involved, the outcome of the trades will be key in determining their success this season and beyond.
March began with the 49ers sending Deebo Samuel to the Commanders. That deal – which yielded a fifth-round pick in return – came when team and player mutually agreed a parting ways was in order. Samuel had previously requested a trade, but his 2022 extension allowed him to remain in San Francisco. The 29-year-old has been unable to duplicate the production from his All-Pro campaign in 2021 when he showcased his receiving and rushing abilities.
Between a downturn in output and the massive extension which was (eventually) worked out with Brandon Aiyuk last offseason, many expected 2024 would be Samuel’s final year in the Bay Area. Shortly after the season ended, it became clear the Commanders were among the teams pursuing the former Pro Bowler. For at least one year (since he is a pending 2026 free agent), Samuel will offer the Commanders a veteran secondary WR option to complement perennial 1,000-yard performer Terry McLaurin.
Samuel saw his base salary for this year guaranteed via a restructure upon arrival in Washington. $3MM in incentives are present as well, adding to his earning potential on a Commanders team looking to replicate its surprising offensive success from 2024. The 49ers, meanwhile, will move forward with Aiyuk. Jauan Jennings and a number of younger options capable of handling at least a depth receiver role.
Christian Kirk initially appeared to be a cap casualty for the Jaguars this offseason. Instead of cutting the former Cardinal, however, the team’s new regime traded him inside the division to the Texans. A seventh-round pick in next year’s draft prevented Houston from having to win a bidding war for his services. Just like Samuel, Kirk restructured his contract shortly after being acquired.
The 28-year-old is also a pending free agent, so he too could prove to be a rental. Nico Collins will remain WR1 for the Texans in 2025, but the loss of Stefon Diggs and the likelihood of Tank Dell missing considerable time while recovering from multiple knee surgeries will give Kirk a notable role on his new team. Mentioned as a Steelers trade deadline target last fall, the former second-rounder saw his production decline over each of his three Jaguars seasons. Kirk should nevertheless be able to operate as a useful deep threat as the Texans transition to new offensive coordinator Nick Caley.
The skill positions have undergone many changes in Jacksonville this offseason. Kirk’s trade was accompanied by the decision to cut wideout/returner Devin Duvernay, along with Gabe Davis. With Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram also no longer in the picture, first-year head coach Liam Coen will have a number of new pass catchers in place for 2025. The success of that new group will be a key talking point.
Even before March, D.K. Metcalf’s Seahawks future was uncertain. A desire to land a second extension (putting him near the top of the position’s market) paved the way for a trade request. General manager John Schneider later said finances were not at the heart of the decision to pull off a trade, noting the two-time Pro Bowler’s strong desire to move on. Seattle’s asking price originally included a first-round pick, but that was soon lowered. 
In the end, a second-round selection (in addition to a swap of Day 3 selections) proved to be sufficient for the Steelers to acquire Metcalf. The trade was immediately followed by a four-year, $132MM extension agreement. As a result of that pact, Metcalf, 27, met his known goal of joining the list of receivers earning at least $30MM per season on average. His AAV of $33MM ranks fourth at the position.
As Seattle moves forward with a receiver group centered on Kupp (who was added on a homecoming deal following his Rams release) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Pittsburgh will rely heavily on Metcalf for 2025 and beyond. Questions loom about Pittsburgh’s 2025 quarterback starter and his upside, but expectations will be high for in Metcalf’s case as a player who has posted no fewer than 900 yards in each of his six NFL seasons.
At first, the Metcalf addition seemed to put the Steelers in place to pair him with George Pickens for at least one campaign. The latter found himself on the move one month ago, however. Pickens was dealt to the Cowboys in exchange for a third-round pick in next year’s draft (with late-round selections in the 2027 event being exchanged as well).
Pickens – who did not request to be moved – has one year remaining on his rookie contract. The 24-year-old is not aiming to sign a Cowboys extension at this point, so much will depend on his performance with his new team. Of course, this situation will also contain plenty of scrutiny in terms of maturity and locker room fit in Dallas. Issues on those fronts led to an ambivalence among many Steelers with respect to Pickens’ departure.
The Cowboys did not draft a first-round receiver as many thought they would, but adding Pickens will provide the team with a high-potential CeeDee Lamb counterpart. A strong showing from that tandem will help Pickens’ market value on a re-signing or a long-term arrangement with a third team. For Pittsburgh, meanwhile, Metcalf’s supporting cast faces questions (although another pass-catching addition is being explored). The Steelers’ decision to make one lucrative investment at any given time in a receiver is common enough, but the impact of replacing Pickens with Metcalf will be felt in 2025 as well as future years.
Keeping in mind the prices paid in these trades and the other receiver-related moves made by the teams who parted ways with those involved in the swaps, which do you think will work out the best? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and have your say in the comments section below.
Which WR Trade Will Prove Most Beneficial?
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Seahawks-Steelers (Metcalf) 37% (706)
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49ers-Commanders (Samuel) 29% (560)
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Steelers-Cowboys (Pickens) 27% (518)
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Jaguars-Texans (Kirk) 6% (121)
Total votes: 1,905
Steelers Sign Aaron Rodgers
JUNE 6, 8:40am: Rodgers has insisted that money is not his primary motivator and suggested that he would be willing to take $10MM – his lowest salary since his rookie contract – to play in Pittsburgh. The base value of his deal with the Steelers is expected to be in that neighborhood, per Rapoport, with the potential for more money via incentives.
JUNE 5, 10:08pm: The Steelers have officially announced the one-year deal (pending physical).
JUNE 5, 2:15pm: The Aaron Rodgers saga is nearing its expected conclusion. The future Hall of Famer has informed the Steelers he will sign with them, Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network report. 
To no surprise, Rapoport adds this will be a one-year deal. Rodgers will fly to Pittsburgh tomorrow, allowing him to sign ahead of next week’s minicamp. The four-time MVP will thus handle starting duties for 2025 as the Steelers look to upgrade their play under center on a short-term basis.
Uncertainty has clouded this situation throughout the offseason, but for quite some time signs have exclusively pointed to this arrangement taking place. Pittsburgh’s initial intention was to keep one of Russell Wilson or Justin Fields in place as a holdover from the team’s 2024 QB setup. Instead, Fields left for the Jets in free agency while Wilson (preferring not to wait for Rodgers to make his decision) will handle starting duties for the Giants.
Since losing both of their quarterbacks from the previous campaign, the Steelers have been connected to Rodgers. After two years with the Jets – one which ended after four snaps due to an Achilles tear and one which was marred by inconsistent play and turmoil in the organization – he was released. The manner in which Rodgers was informed of the decision by the new Jets regime was not well-received, but a first career foray into free agency brought with it conversations with a number of teams. The Giants were among them, although the team’s preference was to use the 2025 draft as a means of finding a long-term solution under center.
The Vikings represented a potential destination as well, with Rodgers informing them they were his preferred landing spot. After allowing Sam Darnold to depart in free agency, though, Minnesota is prepared to move forward with 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy under center. In mid-March, the possibility was raised that Rodgers would either sign with the Vikings or retire. Neither route has been taken.
Shortly after that report emerged, a free agent visit took place in which Rodgers went to the Steelers’ facility. That did not produce an agreement, but a contract offer was made. While continuing to weigh the option of hanging up his cleats – and focusing his attention on a personal matter – the longtime Packers star mainly remained quiet with respect to public comments on his future. Clearly, Rodgers’ off-the-field situation has now reached a point where he is committed to suiting up for a 21st season in the NFL.
The Steelers have Skylar Thompson on their quarterback depth chart, and the team reunited with Mason Rudolph in free agency. The latter (who totaled 21 appearances and 13 starts across his first Pittsburgh stint) was made aware before signing of the possibility a deal such as this was a distinct possibility. The team aimed to have a firm Rodgers answer before April’s draft took place, but even without one Pittsburgh operated as though he would eventually arrive. Indeed, owner Art Rooney II expressed optimism on that front multiple times while the Steelers’ only rookie addition came in the form of sixth-rounder Will Howard.
Late last month, Rodgers hinted further that he would spend the 2025 campaign in Pittsburgh. The 41-year-old has already worked out with trade acquisition D.K. Metcalf this offseason while remaining in constant contact with Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (whom ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes was a key factor in Rodgers’ decision). No firm timeline was ever established for a deal to be worked out, and missed reps at OTAs are certainly far from ideal. Realistically, though, upcoming minicamp represented a logical deadline for Rodgers to report to the team and begin acclimating to OC Arthur Smith‘s scheme.
Since Ben Roethlisberger‘s retirement following the 2021 campaign, the Steelers have been unable to find an effective replacement under center. Given Rodgers’ age, he will of course not be seen as a long-term solution at the position. Next year’s draft – which will take place in Pittsburgh, no less – looms as one to watch with respect to another notable rookie investment on the team’s part.
In the meantime, another postseason berth will be the goal for Tomlin and Co. The Steelers have never posted a sub-.500 record during his tenure, but playoff success has proven hard to come by dating back to the waning stages of Roethlisberger’s decorated career. If healthy, Rodgers could give the team’s offense its highest floor in years. Considering his age, declining mobility and production since the start of the 2022 season, however, it very much remains to be seen how effective his debut Steelers season will be.
One of the impacts of today’s news is the fact Pittsburgh will no longer be in the market for Kirk Cousins. The Falcons have consistently stated their preference to keep him as a backup, but the four-time Pro Bowler has aimed for a change of scenery all offseason. The Steelers were keeping tabs on a potential trade while awaiting word from Rodgers, their preferred target for a short-term addition. Now, Cousins can essentially be locked into remaining with Atlanta unless a starting quarterback is injured this summer.
Rodgers’ legacy will be dictated in large part by the success of his Packers stint. To say the least, though, things did not go according to plan during his Jets tenure. How this third chapter of his career plays out will be one of the league’s more interesting storylines.
Minor NFL Transactions: 6/5/25
Today’s minor moves:
Denver Broncos
- Waived from IR: TE Cole Fotheringham
Detroit Lions
- Reverted to IR: CB Divaad Wilson
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Reverted to IR: OL Cooper Hodges
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Released: DB Joshuah Bledsoe
With the Steelers adding S Quindell Johnson yesterday, the team ended up moving on from one of their other defensive backs. The choice was Bledsoe, a former sixth-round pick by the Patriots. The Missouri product got into four games during his two seasons in New England. Following a brief stint in the UFL, Bledsoe caught on with the Steelers’ offseason roster back in January.
Steelers TE Donald Parham Out For Season After Torn Achilles
JUNE 5: Parham has officially been placed on injured reserve. As a result, his season is over. Parham will hit free agency next spring with his value having taken a notable hit.
JUNE 3: Steelers tight end Donald Parham will likely miss the entire 2025 season after suffering a torn Achilles in OTAs, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The former Charger signed with the Steelers in February on a one-year deal for the veteran minimum. He was expected to slot in as tight end depth behind starter Pat Freiermuth, but will now spend the season on the sidelines, leaving Pittsburgh thin at the position.
The Steelers only have two other tight ends with any NFL experience: 2023 third-rounder Darnell Washington and 2022 sixth-rounder Connor Heyward. Both have primarily served as blockers in the NFL – Heyward as a hybrid TE/FB and Washington as a jumbo-sized inline blocker – though the latter showed up at OTAs 10 pounds lighter, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show. Pittsburgh’s undrafted rookie tight ends, DJ Thomas-Jones and J.J. Galbreath, will now have the opportunity to make a strong impression this summer and push for a roster spot.
Parham’s injury could also intensify the Steelers’ renewed pursuit of Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith. Pittsburgh was already looking to add an offensive playmaker before the season and now has an even stronger need at tight end.
In the event that Smith stays in Miami, the Steelers may have to pivot to a veteran free agent. MyCole Pruitt logged 271 snaps in Arthur Smith‘s offense last year, and 19-year veteran Marcedes Lewis recently revealed that he wants to sign with a new team for the 2025 season.
Parham, meanwhile, won’t see the field for a second consecutive season. After four years as a rotational option with the Chargers, he was released last August during final roster cuts. He landed on the Broncos’ practice squad, but was not elevated a single time during the regular season.
Steelers’ T.J. Watt Expected To Sign Extension Before Week 1
The Steelers are continuing extension talks with T.J. Watt, and according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the four-time All-Pro is expected to put pen to paper before the regular season begins in September.
Watt has yet to attend Pittsburgh’s OTAs as he awaits a new contract. The team reportedly submitted an offer earlier this week, but Watt seems to be pursuing a stronger deal after an explosion in edge rusher pay this offseason. Maxx Crosby got $35.5MM per year from the Raiders in March, and a few days later, Myles Garrett‘s extension with the Browns reset the market with a $40MM APY.
Watt’s current contract — one agreed to days before the 2021 season — is worth just over $28MM per year, so he should be in line for a significant raise after two consecutive top-five finishes in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He will turn 31 during the 2025 season, which could raise age concerns in Pittsburgh, but Garrett is only a year younger with 3.5 fewer sacks since 2023. Watt has also been durable despite a high snap share; he has started 44 straight regular-season games dating back to 2022, though an MCL sprain at the end of the 2023 season sidelined him for the playoffs.
The 2017 first-round pick has been one of the league’s best pass rushers for his entire career, including a 22.5-sack performance in 2021 that tied Michael Strahan‘s single-season record. Watt’s 31.5 sacks over the last two years trail only Trey Hendrickson, who is at an impasse in his own extension negotiations with the Bengals. Hendrickson is also entering his age-31 season but took longer to reach Watt’s level of elite production. If one of the two can agree to new terms with their team, it might clarify the market and lead to a resolution for the other.
Another consideration for Watt is D.K. Metcalf‘s four-year, $132MM contract, which surpassed the future Hall of Fame OLB’s current deal to set new franchise records in per-year and total money. The current edge rusher market should allow Watt to beat Metcalf’s $33MM APY, but setting a new high in total money will require a four-year deal though Watt’s age-35 season in 2029.
As Dulac notes, edge rusher production tends to drop after age 30, so guarantees will be a sticking point in negotiations. The Steelers typically shy away from post-Year 1 guarantees, but they made an exception for Watt on his current contract. Watt’s 2021 extension included a team-record $80MM in fully guaranteed money with guaranteed salaries in 2022 and 2023. That will set a precedent for similar terms on an extension that would guarantee Watt’s salary in 2026 and 2027. Ultimately, the two sides’ ability to reach an agreement will likely come down to the Steelers’ willingness to pay Watt as an elite edge rusher for the rest of his career.