The Pittsburgh Steelers have a dilemma with their superstar pass rusher TJ Watt. It’s no secret that Watt has established himself as one of the most dominant and complete defensive players in the NFL. A former Defensive Player of the Year and the centerpiece of the Steelers' pass rush, Watt has been the heart of Pittsburgh’s defense for years. However, with his contract set to expire after the 2025 season, the team is facing a tough decision that could have major long-term implications.
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Steelers' TJ Watt attempts to sack Bengals' Joe Burrow during the 2024 season.
Watt is reportedly seeking a new deal that would make him the highest-paid pass rusher in the league, and while the Steelers have an offer on the table, negotiations have stalled. Whether the issue is guaranteed money, contract structure, or overall value, something is clearly keeping both sides from reaching an agreement. The Steelers have a long history of taking care of their stars, but this situation appears to be more complicated than most expected.
Things took a surprising turn on Friday when Steelers insider Mark Kaboly reported on 93.7 The Fan that Watt is now allegedly being shopped in trade talks. Although nothing has been confirmed by the team, even the mention of Watt being on the trade block is stunning. If true, it suggests the gap in negotiations may be much larger than originally believed and casts doubt on whether the Steelers can hold on to their defensive leader beyond 2025.
"Obviously they are inquiring to see what that might be," Kaboly said. "If it gets to the point where there is no return, maybe that second round pick becomes very handsome... I am sure that's doing their due diligence there at this point."
Kaboly got pushback when he mentioned the Steelers were asking about Watt’s trade value, with people questioning why they would do that if they plan to re-sign him. Kaboly said it’s “just in case” so the Steelers can be prepared, but the entire segment felt hesitant. He seemed scared to say exactly what he knew and held back key details.
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Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt sacks Will Levis after he lost his helmet on Thursday Night Football.
Kaboly made it clear he trusts the information, but not enough to fully lay it all out on air. He danced around the topic, careful with his words, clearly unsure how much he should reveal. Still, the implication was strong enough to raise eyebrows. Despite the cautious delivery, Kaboly did confirm that the Steelers are taking calls about Watt’s trade value. Even if it’s just a backup plan, the fact that they’re open to listening suggests there’s more going on behind the scenes than the team is letting on.
"I can't do it," Kaboly said. "Go to break and I will tell you... I am not just going to throw stuff out there unless I am 100% sure. That's the problem... I just maybe think we need to look at it a different way. I think [Ray Fittipaldo] was on the right path."
Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo recently pointed out that the holdup in contract negotiations may be tied to the guaranteed money in the final year of Watt’s deal. If that is indeed the sticking point and neither side is willing to compromise, Kaboly suggested the Steelers are trying to gauge what they could get in return for Watt.
According to Kaboly, this is not because the team wants to trade him, but because they want to be prepared and do their due diligence.
Steelers And TJ Watt Appear To Be Struggling Behind The Scenes
This is a wild development, but the fact that Kaboly would not fully commit to the report has made some Steelers fans cautious. He clearly has information, but he was hesitant to reveal everything on air. That does not necessarily mean the report is inaccurate. There may be a level of respect for his source or other factors that kept him from going into full detail.
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Steelers' TJ Watt sacks Ravens' Lamar Jackson.
The main takeaway is that Watt is apparently being shopped around the league while negotiations continue. It may be precautionary, but the idea that the Steelers are listening to calls at all is significant. Whether it is a negotiation tactic or a sign of real tension behind the scenes, it is clear that something unusual is happening between Watt and the Steelers front office.
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