We’re at the peak of summer, usually when the NFL is hibernating. The earliest training camp to open is July 12, when the Los Angeles Chargers will have rookies reporting. The Pittsburgh Steelers won’t report to training camp until July 23, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have problems to deal with.
Pittsburgh has had a busy offseason. Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks. George Pickens was shipped off to the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was signed to a one-year deal in what is presumed to be his last NFL season.
But they still have one last piece of business to attend to, or their defense will miss its most effective and valuable player. T.J. Watt remains unsigned, and the clock is ticking as training camp approaches.
The Holdup Behind T.J. Watt’s Contract Talks with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Watt is seeking a multi-year contract extension from the Steelers. He’s presumed to be in line for one, but Jeremy Fowler explains on ESPN Fowler’s Files why he thinks a deal is likely for Watt.
“Well, people have told me around the league believe that it’s guaranteed money, it’s term length,” Fowler said. “Now, I talked with somebody with the team who said, ‘Look, these are complicated deals to do, but we are working on it, we want T.J. Watt here.'”
Fowler expanded on the current situation for pass rushers on X. “Pass rush market has exploded,” Fowler writes. “By summer’s end, at least six of top-end rushers should or will have secured mega deal(s) since March.”
Pass rush market has exploded. By summer’s end, at least six of top-end rushers should or will have secured mega deal since March.
Taking stock of T.J. Watt, Trey Hendrickson and Micah Parsons status on @SportsCenter with @SkubieMageza pic.twitter.com/kaLLODTs0h
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 5, 2025
However, Watt’s situation is a tad unique. The Steelers have always been a frugal franchise. Even with revenue sharing, they are family-run and have ranked near the bottom of the league in cash payments, even when they max out the salary cap.
Pittsburgh is one of three teams that do not pay guaranteed money to non-quarterbacks after the first year of a contract. This policy disadvantages them when competing for top talent, especially elite pass rushers who command premium contracts in today’s market.
Why Edge Rushers Are Breaking the Bank in 2025
Watt’s contract situation comes at a time when edge rusher salaries have skyrocketed. Players like Myles Garrett and Watt have reset the market multiple times in recent years. The going rate for elite pass rushers now exceeds $25 million annually, with significant guaranteed money upfront.
The Steelers’ reluctance to guarantee money beyond year one creates a unique challenge. While other teams can offer security through guaranteed contracts, Pittsburgh must find creative ways to structure deals that satisfy their financial philosophy and player demands.
Watt led the NFL with 19 sacks in 2021 and has consistently been among the league’s most productive pass rushers. His value to Pittsburgh’s defense cannot be overstated, as he anchors a unit that has been the team’s strength for years.
As for the likelihood of Watt signing, Fowler says, “This is a situation where he’s probably going to be the highest-paid edge rusher in the league when this is all said and done. It just depends on when the Steelers can do it. Typically, they like to do their deals either around training camp or leading into Week 1.”
The timing makes sense for Pittsburgh. Training camp creates urgency, and the team has historically used that pressure to finalize deals. With Watt entering his prime years, the franchise can’t afford to let him walk away over contract negotiations.
So, for all the smoke, there doesn’t seem to be much fire regarding the possibility of Watt being traded. It’s more a matter of how far the Steelers are willing to go to secure their best defensive player of the last decade. As training camp approaches, the answer will likely come in the next few weeks.