Pelissero: Steelers Fans Clamoring For A TJ Watt Trade Get Bad News

The Pittsburgh Steelers have found themselves in an interesting spot with the face of their franchise. TJ Watt has been the team’s best player for years and is widely regarded as one of the most dominant defenders in the NFL. He is entering the final season of his current contract and reportedly wants a new deal before playing in 2025. With the market for elite pass rushers continuing to rise, any extension would likely need to exceed the $40 million per year that the Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett.

Some believe the Steelers cannot justify giving Watt that kind of money as he enters his thirties. While age is a factor, others argue that Watt is still playing at the highest level and deserves to be paid as such. He continues to produce at an elite rate, and his leadership and impact on the defense are difficult to replace. It is a complicated situation that has created a divide among fans, media, and possibly even the organization.

There has even been speculation about the Steelers exploring a potential trade if they are unwilling to meet Watt’s contract demands. However, NFL insider Tom Pelissero recently downplayed that idea, noting that the team is unlikely to receive a significant return for Watt at this stage of his career. His age and expected salary would make it hard to find a trade partner willing to give up major assets. For now, the focus shifts to whether the Steelers are willing to pay the price to keep their defensive cornerstone.

"Even if you were getting a 2026 draft pick, is somebody giving up a first-round pick and more for TJ Watt? Again, never say never, Rich, but when the Bengals were — at Trey Hendrickson’s request — shopping Trey Hendrickson earlier this offseason, they were asking for a first-round pick," Pelissero said. "They weren’t being offered a first-round pick for a guy who led the league in sacks last year and has like 35 sacks over the past two seasons."

Another factor the Steelers must consider is how a massive new deal for Watt would affect the team’s long-term salary cap flexibility. Committing over $40 million per year to a defensive player could limit their ability to strengthen other key areas of the roster.

Pittsburgh has traditionally spread its resources across all three phases of the game, and giving Watt a record-setting deal would mark a major shift in that approach. It raises questions about whether the team is willing to tie up so much cap space in one player on the defensive side of the ball.

Steelers' TJ Watt Has Entered The End Of His Prime

There are also concerns about how Watt’s physical playing style will hold up over time. He has taken a heavy beating over the years due to his relentless motor and physical dominance. Even if his production remains high, the possibility of wear and tear becomes harder to ignore as the seasons go on. The Steelers have to weigh not just what Watt gives them now, but how sustainable his impact will be as he ages in one of the league’s most physically demanding roles.

On a broader scale, there is debate around whether top-tier pass rushers still carry the same value they once did in a league that increasingly favors quick passing and mobile quarterbacks. Some around the NFL believe the true game-changers on defense are now those who can disrupt passing lanes or create turnovers rather than just sack the quarterback. 

If that shift continues, teams may become more cautious when it comes to offering massive contracts to edge rushers, even ones as dominant as Watt. Though others would argue that Watt has that in his game as well.

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