The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an extremely aggressive offseason, that has included a lot of moves via trade, as well as a well-documented pursuit of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh is looking to win now, and it seemed like that might be hard to do as the organization was in a contract dispute with star outside linebacker TJ Watt since the 2024 season came to a close. Watt was only under contract through 2025, and things were beginning to look a little bleak about whether or not a new deal would get done.
Instagram / @tjwatt90
Steelers' TJ Watt says bye to an away crowd after a game.
The Steelers and Watt were able to come to an agreement on a new deal on Thursday, which was initially reported by NFL insider Adam Schefter. The new deal extends Watt for three seasons, which would keep him under contract in Pittsburgh through the 2028 campaign. The deal includes $108 million guaranteed, with Watt earning an average of $41 million per year, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.
ESPN sources: Steelers star TJ Watt has become the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history for the second time in his illustrious career, reaching agreement today on a three-year, $123 million extension that includes $108M fully guaranteed at signing. The $41 million per year average… pic.twitter.com/si6V7FUdlp
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 17, 2025
There was a ton of speculation as the contract negotiations were going on about what was holding up a potential deal. Some theorized it was the guaranteed money on the contract, while others thought it might be the number of years. The three-year deal is great for both sides as Watt was able to get his guaranteed money, and Pittsburgh isn't tied to Watt financially for too long.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' TJ Watt after a play against the Chiefs in Week 17 of the 2024 season.
A large portion of the fan base in Pittsburgh was worried that the dispute between Watt and the Steelers could turn ugly. This all began ahead of the 2024 season when the Steelers had a chance to extend the star defender a year early, but the organization chose not to.
This was probably a bad move by the franchise looking back on it, as several star edge rushers around the league shifted the market upwards by signing deals ahead of Watt. This included Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns, as well as Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The deals signed elsewhere forced Watt and his camp to ask for more money, when the Steelers could have retained their star for much cheaper had the organization decided to do so ahead of the 2024 season. It doesn't matter now that the star is locked up through the 2028 campaign, especially with the cap increasing over $80 million since the 2020 season.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A7925-544x306.jpg "Steelers TJ Watt")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt smiles in the direction of one of his teammates as the group warms up for a 2023 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers' Watt Will Now Be At Training Camp
Watt was fully prepared to hold-out during training camp had a new deal not been agreed to. This was similar to what he did in 2021, although he held-in ahead of that season, meaning he was present but did not practice. Many insiders believed Watt would not have come to Latrobe at all unless a new deal was reached, but now the star edge rusher is expected to report for Day 1 on July 23rd.
What do you think about the new extension for Watt? Let us know in the comments below!
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