Steelers' TJ Watt Has A 'Good Chance' Of Landing A New Big Extension Before March 12

There are some Pittsburgh Steelers players, past and present, who just embody everything the team stands for, including Jack Lambert, Jerome Bettis, Cameron Heyward, and TJ Watt. When Watt entered the NFL Draft in 2017, it was no surprise that he was heavily compared to his older brother, JJ Watt. Many analysts predicted he would never be as good as JJ, but TJ has earned the respect of the city and of the league, all on his own.  

He has done this through his hard work and dedication. When Watt takes the field for a game, everyone knows he will leave it all on the gridiron. He never quits. Now, as Watt prepares to enter his eighth season in the Steel City, there is speculation that the team will seek to extend his contract. This would ensure that Watt stays a Steeler for at least the next few years. 

When the Steelers once again lost in the postseason at the end of the 2024 season, many fans were ready to burn everything to the ground. There was talk of trading Watt, George Pickens, and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Those fans wanted to sell the whole farm, hoping to start over fresh with newer, younger players. However, anyone who knows the franchise had to know that would never happen. Watt, just like his teammate Heyward, is expected to be a one-helmet guy. 

Longtime Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, knows the franchise better than most. In a recent edition of his chat column, Dulac was asked if the team will likely extend Watt before the new year. The fan suggested it would make sense to sign him before other pass rushers sign, and Dulac agreed.

"There's a good chance," wrote Dulac in his column.

This shouldn't surprise anyone; Watt is the true face of the franchise and is one of its most beloved and respected members. During his eight seasons, he has been selected to seven Pro Bowls, only missing his rookie season. He is a four-time First Team All-Pro and was named the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, and clearly shunned in some other years. He's amassed 108 sacks, 225 quarterback hits, 33 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, and seven interceptions. 

The Steelers certainly realize how lucky they are to have Watt. The defense isn't itself without him. Even when he is being chipped, double and triple-teamed, he impacts the game. The three-headed monster of Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig is a reality because opponents have to plan for so much. If they leave Watt single blocked, he will likely break free and unleash his monstrous strip sack. If they put all the attention on him, it frees up Highsmith or Herbig to be that destructive force. 

Steelers Have To Determine What More TJ Watt Will Cost

While most insiders agree the Steelers will work out an extension with Watt before he heads into the final season of his current contract, what isn't determined is the price. The last time they extended him, Watt became the highest-paid defender in the NFL, at more than $112 million over four years. 

Nick Bosa is currently the highest-paid defensive player in the league with his five-year $170 million contract, which works out to roughly $34 million a year. Watt could top that, according to some sources who expect him to command $35 to $37 million annually. 

Others feel that at 31, the Steelers might need to have a talk with Watt about not being the highest-paid guy. While they still expect him to get paid handsomely, they believe it will be more in the range of $27 to $28 million a year.

Do you think the Steelers will extend Watt before the season? What do you think he will be paid? Comment below!