No team made as many blockbuster moves this offseason as the Pittsburgh Steelers, something not typically expected from a franchise known for its conservative approach in both management and coaching. This offseason alone, the team added DK Metcalf, Aaron Rodgers, Darius Slay, and, most recently, Jalen Ramsey, signaling a clear shift in ambition.
But while the franchise made headlines with those additions, it has yet to address the contract situation of its best defensive player, T.J. Watt, who is entering the final year of his deal in 2025. Insider Adam Schefter shared details about the ongoing standoff between the player and the team, but the reality might not be what Steelers fans are hoping for.
Will T.J. Watt and Pittsburgh Reach An Agreement Before Week 1?
Since 2017, few players have been as dominant in the NFL as T.J. Watt, and his defensive performance has been critical to the Steelers consistently posting winning seasons, even when the offense underperforms and the quarterback position remains unstable.
That’s why it feels strange to think the Steelers might be hesitant to offer Watt a deal surpassing the $40 million per year that Myles Garrett now earns with the Cleveland Browns. But it’s not that simple. Schefter reported on the “Pat McAfee Show” that Watt’s future in Pittsburgh is far from certain and that the two sides are still not close to an extension.
“Everybody just has assumed, rightfully, that the two sides will figure it out. But I don’t think they’re very close right now. And I don’t think that he’s particularly pleased. Now, it could change just like that. And they could figure out a way to get it done,” Schefter said.
“Everybody has just assumed that TJ Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers are gonna figure things out..
I don’t think they’re very close to a deal right now”@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/aFEC1SWtT6
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 30, 2025
Watt has been selected for the Pro Bowl every year since 2018 and was named first-team All-Pro four times during that span, which gives him strong leverage in negotiations. Coming off a season with 11.5 sacks and having been in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation as recently as 2023, he remains a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s defense, and any team would be willing to pay what he’s asking.
Given the team’s recent moves, it’s also clear that Pittsburgh is in an “all-in” mode. Bringing in so many high-level players on short-term deals wouldn’t make much sense if their best player was unwilling to take the field over a contract dispute. That dynamic currently gives Watt the upper hand in negotiations.
“They just gave Jonnu Smith more money. They just gave Jalen Ramsey more money. They haven’t given T.J. a lot more money. And you just wonder how that’s going to play out here in the coming… Again, he’s such a part of the team, you cannot imagine him not being there. But you would think that this situation would be settled by now, and it’s not,” Schefter added.
It’s unclear when a deal might get done or whether both sides will remain together soon. But considering the path Pittsburgh seems to be taking, it’s hard to imagine a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations letting go of a defender like Watt.