So what's going on with T.J. Watt? The latest on the Steelers' premier pass rusher

Yahoo

a day ago

The Pittsburgh Steelers struck a blockbuster deal Monday, trading five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins for seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey and one-time Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith. The trade also included a pick swap.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Ramsey is getting a $1.5 million raise this season, meaning the 30-year-old corner will earn $26.6 million in 2025, only $3 million of which the Dolphins are paying.
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Smith, meanwhile, is receiving a one-year contract extension worth $12 million, per Schefter.
With the Steelers set to doll out money to those newcomers, questions have stirred about a veteran who was already on the roster: seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro T.J. Watt.
The standout pass rusher has been unhappy with his contract situation, and, according to ESPN sources, "outside team interest is likely to increase" following this week's head-turning trade. Schefter reported Monday that, even in recent weeks, multiple teams had been discussing the possibility of a trade for Watt.
But Pittsburgh has made it clear that it wants Watt to be a Steeler for life, and that goal hasn't changed, according to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, who reported Monday that the Steelers are still aiming to sign Watt to an extension.
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Watt, who turns 31 in October, is entering the final year of the four-year, $112 million extension he signed in September 2021. That season, he ultimately won NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The pass rusher market has since changed.
Myles Garrett broke the bank earlier this offseason when he inked a deal with the Cleveland Browns that pays him an average of $40 million annually, $12 million more per year than Watt's been making on his current deal. As of now, Watt is due to make $21.05 million in 2025, per Pelissero.
Searching for a new contract, Watt skipped voluntary OTAs and then mandatory minicamp, the latter of which ran from June 10-12. At that time last month, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that Watt's contract talks had not progressed.
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Watt, a 2017 first-round pick of the Steelers, has 108 career sacks. That's more 5.5 more than Garrett and the sixth most among active NFL players.
He's recorded double-digit sacks and, according to Pro Football Focus, 50-plus pressures in all but two of his eight seasons in the league. In 2024, the University of Wisconsin product tallied 11.5 sacks, 61 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and four passes defended.
Watt has been the backbone of a defense that, for years, has kept Pittsburgh afloat in the AFC North despite the team's underachieving offenses. Each of the last four seasons, the Steelers have ranked no higher than 16th in the NFL in points per game.
Pittsburgh hasn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. The franchise is looking to finally get over the hump in 2025, hence why it's added a collection of veterans this offseason: quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver DK Metcalf, cornerback Darius Slay Jr. and now Ramsey and Smith, too.
Watt is expected to join them eventually, but that reportedly won't stop other teams from inquiring about his availability, especially after Monday's trade.