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NHL Insider: T.J. Watt may overshadow Myles Garrett with record-breaking Pittsburgh Steelers deal extension
T.J. Watt (via Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers free outside linebacker T.J. Watt is seeking an enormous new contract of $40 million or more than Cleveland Browns phenom Myles Garrett's current high of $40 million a year, says NFL insider James Palmer.
With the Steelers negotiating with T.J. Watt, a record-breaking payday seems to be waiting—if the Steelers are willing to keep pace with the higher and higher market rate for elite edge pass rushers.
T.J. Watt's new contract could raise the bar even higher as Pittsburgh Steelers consider record extension
While the NFL off-season becomes more intense, one of the league's leading defensive players— T.J. Watt — is once again grabbing headlines for his upcoming contract extension negotiations with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Watt, still the focal point of the Steelers' defense, is said to be negotiating a new deal that might see him become the highest-paid defensive player in the league.
Bleacher Report's NFL insider James Palmer broke on the NFL Insider Notebook that he's hearing Watt might ask for over $40 million annually—a figure that would exceed the current highest salary for a defensive player, held by Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett.
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Steelers Rumors: PIT WAITING For T.J. Watt Extension Before Adding Jalen Ramsey And/Or Amari Cooper?
'I'm hearing there's a chance Watt gets past $40 [million per season],' Palmer said on 'NFL Insider Notebook.' 'He has every right to ask for it. I've talked on here a lot about the comparisons between him and Myles Garrett. The numbers are almost identical in every aspect in terms of superlatives and in terms of numbers, and they came in the same draft class. I mean, he has every right to try to get that.'
Both Garrett and Watt came into the NFL in the same draft class and have been perennially elite ever since.
T.J. Watt, set to be 31 next season, recorded 11.5 sacks in an injury-marred 2024 season but is still a pillar of the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense.
Also in the mix is rising Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson, whose future deal could further inflate the market for top edge rushers. That puts additional pressure on Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan, who recently spoke about Watt's long-term future with the franchise.
'I'm not going to get into the contract numbers, but if you're referring to T.J. [Watt], I assume, I'll just say that I'm very hopeful that T.J. will finish his career as a Steeler,' Khan said during last week's NFL league meetings.
Watt has also spoken publicly about wanting to stay in Pittsburgh, where he's played his entire career since being drafted in 2017. The linebacker's play and leadership remain the calling card of the Steelers' defense, which makes the contract negotiations a priority for the front office.
Also read:
Steelers risk betraying T.J. Watt's loyalty as contract standoff threatens to end his Pittsburgh legacy
As the negotiations unfold, fans and pundits will be observing closely. If the Pittsburgh Steelers do decide to meet Watt's price tag, it will not only be a huge fiscal investment—it will be a demonstration of their commitment to preserving their defensive identity for years to come.
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