Insider: Despite The Option Steelers Won't Use Wildly Unpopular Tactic With TJ Watt For 2026

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an offseason full of major moves. While much of the attention has focused on the unsettled quarterback situation, there are also significant developments happening behind the scenes that haven’t received as much public attention. Contract negotiations and retaining key players have been a crucial part of the Steelers' offseason and continue to be an important focus moving forward.

One of the key players currently in contract negotiations is star edge rusher TJ Watt. A fan favorite and a key piece of the Steelers' defense, Watt’s contract is set to expire at the end of the upcoming season, making these negotiations especially significant. So far, there haven’t been too many updates, raising concerns that talks may not be progressing smoothly. 

Recently, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed the situation during a chat session, where he was asked about the possibility of the team using the franchise tag on Watt. 

"It's an option, but players do not like the franchise tag, especially players of Watt's tenure and skill level," Fittipaldo wrote. "That would be a bad move by the Steelers, which is why it won't happen."

In the NFL, a franchise tag is a tool teams can use to keep a player who is set to become a free agent for one more season. It allows the team to offer the player a one-year contract at a salary that is either the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position, or 120% of their previous salary, whichever is greater. This prevents the player from signing with another team while giving the team more time to work out a long-term deal.

Many NFL players don't like the franchise tag because it limits their ability to secure long-term financial security. Instead of being able to test the open market and potentially sign a multi-year deal, they're locked into a one-year contract, which carries greater risk, especially in a sport as physically demanding and injury-prone as football. Players want the stability and guarantees that come with long-term deals, and the franchise tag can delay or even prevent that. So, while using the franchise tag on Watt is an option, it’s unlikely if the Steelers view him as part of their long-term plans.

Many have speculated about the reason behind the prolonged contract negotiations with Watt. One likely factor is the recent contract extension of a high-profile player from one of the Steelers’ AFC North rivals. That lucrative deal may have set a new market standard, making it more difficult for the Steelers and Watt to find common ground on a new agreement. Myles Garrett, star edge rusher for the Cleveland Browns, had a record-breaking deal that not only grabbed league-wide attention, but also set a new standard by making him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL -- surpassing the previous mark by an impressive $5 million per year. Garrett ended up signing a massive four-year, $160 million contract extension. This not only secured his future in Cleveland, but also had a major impact on the market for defensive player salaries across the NFL. 

The NFL’s salary cap has grown significantly over the years, which naturally raises the financial expectations of the league’s top players. While a higher salary cap gives teams more spending flexibility, it doesn’t mean everyone likes the quickly raising prices demanded by top talent. With Garrett’s recent extension setting a new standard for top-tier edge rushers, the Steelers now face added pressure in their contract talks with Watt. 

Steelers And Watt Seem To Share Mutual Interest

When Watt signed his last contract, he was the highest-paid defensive player in the league. Now, with player salaries rising rapidly, the Steelers face some important decisions. Fortunately, the team has the financial flexibility to make a competitive offer, as they aren’t committing as much money to other players compared to many teams across the NFL. Watt has made a significant impact on the franchise and appears eager to stay and finish his career in Pittsburgh. 

However, the negotiations seem to ultimately come down to money. Reports indicate that the Steelers have already extended an offer to Watt, so only time will tell how things unfold. It’s worth noting that Watt’s previous deal wasn’t signed until just before the regular season, so there’s still time before fans need to worry. 

Do you think the Steelers will re-sign Watt? Let us know in the comments below!

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