Pittsburgh Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt has stirred speculation about his future with the franchise after posting a cryptic photo on Instagram, seemingly signaling uncertainty as he heads into the final year of his contract. The image showing Watt walking off the field sparked widespread reaction in Pittsburgh and across the NFL.
T.J. Watt Reportedly Seeking Deal Comparable to Myles Garrett, Micah Parsons
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport weighed in on “Good Morning Football,” saying, “When a player makes a cryptic social media post, it’s almost never nothing … Generally, when a player makes a social media post that forces us to talk about it on TV like we’re doing right now, it’s because contract negotiations are not going as well as anybody had hoped.”
Rapoport added that while talks between Watt and the Steelers aren’t off to a strong start, there’s still time to reach a deal.
NFL insider Mike Fisher further fueled the conversation by speculating that Watt may be eyeing a market-resetting extension. “It’s the new going rate, and T.J. Watt is obviously in the same conversation as Garrett and Parsons as a player. Wanting the same money from the Steelers simply stands to reason,” Fisher said.
The two players Fisher referenced are Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons – both elite pass rushers who’ve recently set the bar for contracts at their position. Garrett, after briefly requesting a trade from the Browns, shocked the league by signing a four-year extension worth $160 million, averaging $40 million annually. That deal came shortly after Maxx Crosby signed a three-year deal with over $90 million guaranteed.
Parsons, meanwhile, is in the midst of ongoing contract talks with the Dallas Cowboys. The All-Pro linebacker has been a dominant force since entering the league, with 52.5 sacks in just 63 games. While nothing is finalized, league sources indicate that Parsons is expected to land a contract at or even above Garrett’s $40 million per year figure.
With owner Jerry Jones facing growing pressure, speculation of a potential trade looms if negotiations stall, a scenario that could significantly reshape the Cowboys’ defense.
For Watt, the situation is complex. At 31 years old entering the 2025 season and carrying a $30 million cap hit, the Steelers are caught between not wanting to overcommit long-term and recognizing they can’t easily replace a player of his caliber. Watt is coming off an 11.5 sack season and was once again a finalist for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
As the edge rusher market continues to inflate, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh. If Watt is indeed chasing a deal in the Garrett-Parsons range, the Steelers may be forced into a high-stakes decision that could reshape their roster for years to come.