NFL teams pondering TJ Watt trade — where Steelers stand as contract drama lingers

NFL teams pondering TJ Watt trade — where Steelers stand as contract drama lingers

One trade by the Steelers could open the door for another.

After the blockbuster deal involving the Steelers sending All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins for stud cornerback Jalen Ramsey, other teams have looked toward another Pittsburgh star. 

TJ Watt continues to hold out as he searches for a new deal. Currently, he is in the final year of his contract worth $21.05 million. 

TJ Watt Getty Images

Watt’s contract dispute and the recent Steelers trade have made the rumor mill around the star edge rusher start to move again.

Teams’ interest in the 30-year-old is expected to increase after Monday’s trade, but the Steelers are adamant they want him to finish his career in Pittsburgh, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the Steelers have no intention of trading Watt and their focus remains on extending the seven-time Pro Bowler’s contract.

With the numbers Watt has been able to put up in the last few seasons for the Steelers, it makes sense why they would do everything they can to hold on to the talented pᴀss rusher. 

Last season, Watt logged 61 tackles and 11.5 sacks. In 2023, he totaled 19 sacks. 

T.J. Watt is celebrating a sack. USA TODAY Sports

The Steelers expect to finalize a deal before the 2025 season, a year in which they aim to contend for a prolonged playoff run.

Their moves in the last few weeks support that. 

They added Ramsey to a secondary, which also houses Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay. The Steelers also picked up Super Bowl-winning quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who will now be throwing to star receiver D.K. Metcalf. 

New Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers. AP

Watt and Patrick Queen round out the linebacker core, and veteran edge rusher Cameron Heyward helps the defensive line.

The Steelers, who went 10-7 last season, have the 10th-toughest schedule in the league, which could be a challenge.

The window could be closing fast for the Steelers, and this year might be their best chance of making a deep run. 

Related Posts

Johnny Manziel leads pack of sports stars taking part in season four of Special Forces

Johnny Manziel leads pack of sports stars taking part in season four of Special Forces

Former NFL quarterback Johnny Manziel headlines the pack of sports stars taking part in season four of Fox reality compeтιтion Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, which premiers next…

NFL confirms major loophole in new ban on smelling salts and other ammonia inhalants

NFL confirms major loophole in new ban on smelling salts and other ammonia inhalants

NFL players gripping their contraband smelling salts like winning lottery tickets can relax: the league won’t ban the inhalants. The players’ union sent a memo to members…

Dallas Cowboys backup QB Joe Milton easily tops NFL ‘record’ during scrimmage with Los Angeles Rams

Dallas Cowboys backup QB Joe Milton easily tops NFL ‘record’ during scrimmage with Los Angeles Rams

The Cowboys’ offseason trade for Patriots backup Joe Milton wasn’t supposed to start a quarterback controversy in Dallas, given the status of entrenched $240 million starter Dak…

Travis Kelce glad to escape Taylor Swift attention in ‘sanctuary’ of Kansas City Chiefs camp

Travis Kelce glad to escape Taylor Swift attention in ‘sanctuary’ of Kansas City Chiefs camp

Kansas City Chiefs тιԍнт end Travis Kelce is glad to escape the mᴀssive attention he gets as Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, calling the team’s training camp a ‘sanctuary’…

Revealed: Why Kansas City Chiefs welcomed a sworn enemy into camp… and he was even wearing team uniform

Revealed: Why Kansas City Chiefs welcomed a sworn enemy into camp… and he was even wearing team uniform

The Kansas City Chiefs have brought former Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce to training camp despite being a former sworn enemy due to his vast defensive…

Machine Gun Kelly reveals somber Taylor Swift Super Bowl chat as Travis Kelce and the Chiefs were getting beat

Machine Gun Kelly reveals somber Taylor Swift Super Bowl chat as Travis Kelce and the Chiefs were getting beat

The Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIX loss was devastating for Travis Kelce, but it was a sad night for Machine Gun Kelly as well. The musician, who grew…