NFL Insider Reveals The Steelers' Price To Trade TJ Watt

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had quite an interesting offseason, but one major question mark remains. Superstar pass rusher TJ Watt has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the NFL for years, and he’s made it clear he wants long-term security now, not later. With his contract set to expire after the 2025 season, Watt is eyeing a deal that reflects his elite production. That’s where things get complicated.

The Cleveland Browns completely shifted the market when they gave Myles Garrett a $40 million per year deal, and that contract may now serve as the starting point for Watt’s negotiations. For Pittsburgh, that means paying even more or at least matching that number to keep their franchise cornerstone. The Steelers are known for taking care of their own, and many believe they will do what it takes to keep Watt in one helmet for his entire career.

Still, the idea of a trade can't be ignored. On Tuesday, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler joined 93.7 The Fan and explained what kind of return the Steelers could expect if they decided to move Watt. According to Fowler, the asking price would be pretty big. It’s not a likely scenario, but it shows just how valuable Watt is and how high the cost would be for any team hoping to land him.

"The way it was explained to me when I kind of talked to some teams yesterday about this trying to sort of figure out this puzzle," Fowler said. "They figured Myles Garrett was worth probably two first round picks or maybe like a first and some sort of package like a good day two pick."

Fowler stated that he believes Watt could command a first-round pick along with a second or third-round selection. That would be a strong return for a 30-year-old pass rusher, but the Steelers reportedly have no interest in losing their defensive cornerstone. Watt remains too valuable to the identity and success of the team.

It’s a challenging situation for Pittsburgh. Watt continues to perform at an elite level, but keeping him will require a major financial commitment. With the bar now set by Garrett’s $40 million per year deal, the Steelers may need to make Watt one of the highest-paid defensive players in NFL history.

As tough as it may be, the cost to keep Watt might simply be the price of doing business in the modern NFL. For a team built around defense and toughness, letting him walk would be a massive step in the wrong direction.

"Watt is probably really close to that in value," Fowler said. "Myles has a slight edge as he is considered the superior pass rusher at least right now. Maybe age is apart of that, but he is number one and Watt is two."

Garrett once requested a trade, making it clear he wanted to focus on winning. That changed quickly when the Browns offered him a $40 million per year deal, and he decided to stay. Garrett's contract reset the market, and now Watt is in a similar situation. He wants to be paid what he’s worth, but he also knows the ultimate goal is to win.

Steelers' TJ Watt Wants To Win, But Also Get Paid

Watt hasn’t had any real postseason success since entering the league. It’s unfortunate considering how dominant he’s been and what he’s done for the Steelers. With Omar Khan going all in on the 2025 season, losing Watt now would come at the worst possible time. The Steelers have made big moves this offseason with a clear goal in mind, and keeping Watt is a key part of that vision.

That’s why many believe a new deal will eventually get done, even if the situation is complicated. If the Steelers can’t reach an agreement with Watt, they could consider a trade and likely receive a premium return, possibly including a first-round pick. It’s not what the team wants, but it may become a necessary conversation depending on how talks unfold.

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