T.J. Watt has established himself as one of the NFL’s most-feared defensive players. He’s one of the greatest Pittsburgh Steelers of all time, but his contract situation has become a topic of conversation this offseason.
The Steelers recently put any concerns to bed by signing the seven-time Pro Bowler to a massive extension.
T.J. Watt’s Contract Details
Watt was a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft and quickly developed into a star for the Steelers. He posted seven sacks as a rookie and has made the Pro Bowl each year since. His rookie contract was worth $9.258 million, and he signed a four-year, $112 million extension heading into the 2021 season. His new deal will dwarf that.
The three-year, $123 million contract makes him the highest-paid defensive player and highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history at $41 million annually.
The new contract will nearly double Watt’s career earnings to this point. Through eight years, he’s made just under $110.9 million. His net worth was last estimated at roughly $10 million, but that should change after the new contract.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the news on X. He tweeted the initial breaking news about the signing and then posted the contract details: “It’s a three-year, $123 million extension that locks up T.J. Watt through 2028. As expected, he’s staying in Pittsburgh.”
It’s a three-year, $123 million extension that locks up T.J. Watt through 2028. As expected, he’s staying in Pittsburgh. https://t.co/rpe0gsPRAP
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 17, 2025
This was an important deal to get done for Pittsburgh as the team kept one of its greatest players happy and ended any speculation that he could end up on another team. Steelers stalwart Cam Heyward recently said that Watt needed to be a “one-helmet guy,” and this extension keeps that as a possibility.
Watt’s $41 million per year is more than Myles Garrett ($40 million) and Maxx Crosby ($35.5 million), who each signed big extensions earlier this offseason. The new contract also puts Watt ahead of Ja’Marr Chase as the highest-paid non-quarterback. Chase had signed an extension giving him $40.25 million per season.
TJ Watt just signed a 3 year, $123 million extension with the Steelers 🔥😤
So here’s 20 minutes of TJ Watt highlights:pic.twitter.com/c6pK1HggLC
— Novo (@NovoHeat) July 17, 2025
Watt has collected 11.5 or more sacks in six of his eight seasons. He was named first-team All-Pro in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023, posting 14.5 or more sacks yearly. His best season was in 2021, when he was named Defensive Player of the Year after totaling 64 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 39 QB hits, and a league-leading 22.5 sacks.
Despite making the playoffs four times, Watt and the Steelers have been bounced in their first postseason game. With its greatest defensive weapon signed, the question remains if this is the year Pittsburgh snaps its six-game postseason losing streak.
There’s no question that Watt will go down as one of the greatest Steelers ever. He’s already put together a Hall of Fame career and will now potentially have a chance to finish as a one-helmet guy.
