The Pittsburgh Steelers have been a consistent talking point for the national media throughout the 2025 offseason. At first, the media was discussing Head Coach Mike Tomlin and whether or not the organization should consider moving on from the two-time Super Bowl Champion. The quarterback fiasco soon followed and included Pittsburgh's nearly three-month long pursuit of four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers, and now the Steelers are wrapped up in more drama as TJ Watt wants a new contract. It has been an eventful offseason for the Steelers, but fans shouldn't really be all that worried about Watt getting a new deal.
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Steelers' TJ Watt after a play against the Chiefs in Week 17 of the 2024 season.
The backbone of the Steelers organization is the defense, and that has been the case throughout most of the franchise's history. During every peak, the defense has been one of the best in the league.
The defense in Pittsburgh currently has the talent to be extraordinarily good, but the front office needs to get a new extension done with Watt before the 2025 season kicks off. He is the type of player that need to be in the black and gold for his entire career, which is something that Casey Hampton discussed during an appearance on Texas Sports Unfiltered.
"He's different, man," Hampton said. "TJ's stayed in one spot and works that one spot, and you know where he's at and you still can't stop him. That's why people talk, this and that man, that dude's in one spot, you know where he's at, and you still can't stop him. That's what makes him different for me. And when he tackles the quarterback, it ain't just the quarterback, he gets the ball. He's the most ball-hawking guy in the league, he gets the quarterback, he gets that ball out. They gonna pay him, take care of him, and he gonna finish as probably the best to ever do it at linebacker in Pittsburgh when he's done."
Hampton played for the Steelers from 2001 through 2012, and he won two Super Bowls with the franchise, beating the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals. He was a part of ruthless defenses throughout his time in Pittsburgh, and he knows the type of rare talent that Watt is. He has been the best game-wrecker in the NFL since entering the league back in 2017, and the franchise knows he needs to be in Pittsburgh past the 2025 season.
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Steelers' TJ Watt sacks Falcons' Kirk Cousins during an away game in the 2024 season.
Watt is arguably the best and most consistent defender in the league, and Pittsburgh would be making a grave mistake not extending him. He did not show up to mandatory minicamp or Organized Team Activities (OTAs), and he is expected to at least hold-in if a new deal is not done by the time training camp roles around.
The star defender creates turnovers, as he prioritizes getting the ball as well as sacking the quarterback. He is starting to slow down as he gets older, but there is no question that he is one of the best at his position.
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Steelers brass Art Rooney II, Omar Khan, and Mike Tomlin during the 2025 NFL Draft.
Steelers' TJ Watt Likely Wants To Wait To Sign New Deal
Player's contracts are often decided by what the market is, and Myles Garrett reset the edge-rusher market earlier in the 2025 offseason. Watt is going to want more than Garrett, but the market can get reset again.
This is exactly why Watt should wait to sign, as he can probably earn more money if he waits to sign an extension until after Micah Parsons or Trey Hendrickson are able to get a deal done.
Watt also doesn't necessarily need training camp. The year he held-in he wound up winning the NFL's Defensive Player Of The Year award, and he also tied the single-season record for sacks. Everything will more than likely work out between Pittsburgh and Watt, it is just a matter of time.
What do you think about Hampton's comments on Watt? Let us know in the comments below!
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