One of the final offseason storylines was resolved this Thursday, July 17. T.J. Watt signed a three-year extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $123 million, securing his place not just for the 2025 season but for the foreseeable future.
The NFL world reacted not only from the perspective of the Steelers and Watt, but also with an eye on Micah Parsons, who has yet to sign an extension and now faces a new market benchmark as contract talks begin.
Fans React To Record-Breaking T.J. Watt Contract
Watt’s contract situation with the Steelers had started to move into dangerous territory as training camp approached, with clear signs of frustration from the player over how negotiations were handled. Now, he becomes the highest-paid defender in NFL history, averaging $41 million annually.
Steelers fans naturally reacted with excitement to the new deal. Watt is the definition of elite at the edge rusher position and has cemented himself as one of the best pass rushers in the entire league. One fan commented, “He deserves it more than anybody. Best pass rusher in football and a complete game changer.”
He deserves it more than anybody.
Best Pass rusher in football and a complete game changer.
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) July 17, 2025
The unwritten rule with NFL contracts is that the next big player to negotiate a deal sets the new market standard. This isn’t always the case, like with Dak Prescott’s $60 million yearly deal. Since this deal, Josh Allen and Brock Purdy got new contracts, neither surpassing Prescott’s annual average.
We’ll unlikely see Parsons or Cincinnati Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson settle for less than Watt’s $41 million. One fan even suggested Parsons could reach $45 million per season, which once felt unimaginable for an edge rusher.
Micah abt to get 45 mill damn https://t.co/taaU1hsswW
— Daniel (@realskiinggoat) July 17, 2025
Cowboys fans are frustrated with how Jerry Jones has handled the franchise, including how Parsons’ contract has been approached. From their perspective, Dallas could’ve signed him for much less had they moved earlier, before the market exploded.
Micah Parsons just got more expensive. Thanks, Jerry Jones! https://t.co/VlhcBDnXj9
— Preston Moore (@prestoncmoore) July 17, 2025
Jones’ lifestyle and decision-making have also been targets of criticism, as fans feel he’s doing more harm than good to the Cowboys these days. One example was his public shot at Parsons’ agent, which led the player himself to defend his representative.
Micah gonna get paid $45M per year now because Jerry too busy partying with underage blondes on his yacht instead of calling Micah’s agent 😭😭😂 https://t.co/IrXlBZnITO
— mpf (@demcowboysfan) July 17, 2025
Not all fans were happy with Watt’s extension, either. Some still view him more as a linebacker than a true edge rusher, and question whether he’s worth the $41 million Pittsburgh is paying him.
$41m a year for a linebacker is insane
— Tyler (@_Its_Legacy_) July 17, 2025
Watt’s new deal is a decisive move from Pittsburgh’s front office as they head into the preseason with their full focus on football. The team’s offseason additions, Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, and Jalen Ramsey, are all part of a push to get back into Super Bowl contention. Without Watt, that would’ve been nearly impossible.
