The drama is finally over, and T.J. Watt got exactly what he demanded.
After months of holdout speculation, skipped minicamps, and swirling trade rumors that had Pittsburgh fans on edge, Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers have finally hammered out a massive contract extension. The star pass rusher signed a three-year, $123 million deal that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, with a jaw-dropping $108 million fully guaranteed. At $41 million per year, Watt’s new deal locks him in with the Steelers through the 2028 season.
How Does Watt’s Extension Change Pittsburgh’s Championship Window?
For Steel City fans, it’s time to break out the Terrible Towels. Watt, the beating heart of the defense and a former Defensive Player of the Year, isn’t going anywhere. After years of serving as the face of Pittsburgh’s unwavering defensive identity, the team is now paying him like the superstar he is.
The Steelers are going all-in for 2025 with the addition of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, outstanding receiver DK Metcalf, tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey. With Watt commanding the defense, the team is betting big money on making a meaningful playoff run with several fresh faces on the offensive end. However, not everyone believes this was the right decision.
“The Steelers will continue to have 8, 9 wins. I think it’s a mistake.”@getnickwright weighs in on T.J. Watts’ new 3-year, $123M extension pic.twitter.com/Q0j8kZ2QiQ
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) July 17, 2025
“The Steelers are gonna continue to be eight, nine wins,” Wright said. “Their path out was recognizing, get a first-round pick; again, they weren’t gonna do this once signing Aaron. Trade T.J., get great capital for it, eventually get a quarterback. Instead, they want to do this, I think it’s a mistake.”
Why Does Nick Wright Think This Extension Is a Mistake?
Wright’s criticism focuses more on timing than on Watt’s talent. Instead of embracing a fresh start for the future, he thinks the Steelers are clinging too hard to a core of aging veterans. He believed it would have been wiser to trade Watt for draft picks and start a long-term rebuild, particularly since Rodgers is probably in his final season.
Wright also raised concerns about Watt’s durability moving forward.
“He was still great last year. But I worry a bit about how he and his brother’s body aged in injuries and stuff.”
Watt has undoubtedly battled injuries, most notably a torn pec in 2022, but few players have a greater impact on the field when healthy. With 33 forced fumbles and 108 career sacks, Watt remains a game-changer who can single-handedly wreck offensive game plans.
Wright’s comments have sparked heated debate across Steel City. Did the Steelers kick the inevitable rebuild down the road, or did they make the right call by locking up their defensive cornerstone? The answer might determine whether Pittsburgh’s championship window stays open or slams shut.
