T.J. Watt is soft-spoken — off-the-field — and doesn’t usually say much on social media, so it tends to make waves when he does. This week, he posted a single image to Instagram — no caption, no context — just a photo of him throwing a peace sign to a crowd of Steelers fans after a win over the Raiders in Vegas last season.
If Watt weren’t entering the final year of his contract in Pittsburgh, it would just be any image. But given the situation, his cryptical post has fans and media alike reading into it as a possible goodbye. Whether that’s a stretch or something more substantial remains to be seen.
T.J. Watt’s Contract Situation With Steelers Adds Fuel to the Fire
On the surface of what the public sees, contract talks are quiet, and with zero guaranteed salary on the books for 2025, the timing of the post could’ve been deliberate. Watt’s $30.4 million cap hit is heavy, and while Pittsburgh would love to keep its All-Pro edge rusher, a quiet offseason followed by a cryptic post has now opened the door to speculation about Watt’s future in black and gold.
Watt signed a four-year, $112 million extension in 2021, a deal that, at the time, made him the highest-paid defensive player in league history. He’s lived up to every cent of it, too — racking up sacks, leading the defense, and setting the tone for the franchise. But that deal is now entering its final stretch, and there’s been no public movement on a new one.
The lack of guaranteed money for 2025 is especially glaring. Watt holds all the leverage here — he’s still elite, still productive, and still the heart of the Steelers’ defense. But Pittsburgh hasn’t been known for handing out massive third contracts, and at 30 years old next season, Watt’s age could be a factor in their internal discussions.
That’s where the Instagram post comes in. No words. No emojis. Just a peace sign. It may be nothing … or it may be Watt quietly signaling that he’s ready to move on if things don’t move forward soon. It wouldn’t be the first time a star player hinted at his next move through social media, and in today’s NFL, those hints don’t go unnoticed.
Oh Boy: TJ Watt just posted this on his IG story…😳
Watt is seeking an extension with only one year left on his contract. pic.twitter.com/qwKojQtvTR
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 9, 2025
Deal for Raiders DE Maxx Crosby Shakes Up Pass Rusher Market
Watt’s situation doesn’t exist in a vacuum. A wave of elite pass rushers are either eligible or due for new contracts in the coming months, and the first domino fell in early March when Maxx Crosby inked a three-year, $106.5 million extension with the Las Vegas Raiders. That contract reset the market in a big way and could now play a significant role in shaping Watt’s next move.
Despite handing Watt a record-setting four-year, $112 million extension back in 2021, the Steelers aren’t historically known for shelling out big-money deals — especially for aging players (see: Troy Polamalu, Hines Ward). Watt will be 31 midseason, and while he’s still performing at an elite level, Pittsburgh may be hesitant to re-up with top-tier money.
With Crosby’s deal fresh on the books, Watt and his agent have every reason to push for another massive payday. The question is whether the Steelers will meet that price or decide to go in another direction. Watt has plenty of leverage, but the silence on both sides is only getting louder — as this post could prove.
Would Steelers Really Move Watt in a Trade?
It’s hard to picture the Steelers without Watt. He’s been the face of their defense since he entered the league via the No. 30 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and his resume speaks for itself — Defensive Player of the Year honors, multiple Pro Bowls, and a presence that opposing offenses have to scheme around every week.
But if the two sides can’t agree on an extension, and Pittsburgh wants to avoid a messy holdout or an aging star with a ballooning cap hit, then a trade isn’t entirely off the table. There would be no shortage of suitors, and Watt would instantly boost any team’s pass rush.
For now, though, all it is is a photo and a lot of speculation. But with training camp a few months away and no extension in sight, Watt’s future in Pittsburgh suddenly feels less certain than anyone expected.