The Pittsburgh Steelers have been making aggressive moves throughout the 2025 offseason. The roster has seen a lot of turnover from what it was in 2024, and the organization has given out a good amount of money. The most recent contract handed out was an extension for star outside linebacker, TJ Watt, who was going to be entering the final year of his deal in 2025. The defender was likely looking to continue holding out during training camp, as he had held out throughout Organized Team Activities and mandatory minicamp. Pittsburgh and Watt were able to end the contract dispute after agreeing to a deal on Thursday, and it made Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.
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Steelers' TJ Watt smiles before a Week 12 game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football in 2024.
Watt's new extension is a three-year deal that gives the defender $108 million guaranteed. It keeps him under contract in Pittsburgh through the 2028 season, which gives Watt a good chance to end his career with the Steelers. Fans were worried that the entire situation could've turned ugly, or Watt could've even ended up getting traded, but thankfully the two sides were able to come to an agreement on a deal.
The star is 30 years old, so some fans are skeptical of what to expect throughout his new extension, but insider Ray Fittipaldo joined 93.7 The Fan on Friday and he set some lofty expectations.
"They're betting on him to perform," Fittipaldo said. "Let's take out the torn pec year. Every other year, except for his rookie year, he's in double-digit sacks. So if he is not injured, I think the Steelers are guaranteed to get double-digit sacks out of him for the remainder of this contract. And I think if he's right, you're probably talking 15, 16 a year based on what he's done in the past."
Watt has been extremely consistent throughout his time with the Steelers, and he has the most sacks in the NFL since entering the league in 2017. He is nearly always at the top of the league when it comes to sacks, and he has led the NFL in the metric during three separate seasons, becoming the first player in league history to do so.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' TJ Watt causes a turnover on Jalen Hurts during a Week 15 matchup in 2024.
Fittipaldo believes fans should expect more of the same from Watt moving forward, which is fair. The star has shown no signs of slowing down when he is healthy, which is a good sign. Pittsburgh also has a great rotation of guys at outside linebacker, which will allow Watt to maximize his reps when he is on the field and take breaks when needed.
The outside linebacker missed some time with a torn pectoral muscle during the 2022 season, and he also played through the injury which is why he only had 5.5 sacks during that season. That and his rookie year in 2017 are the only times he did not get into double digit sacks as mentioned, but those two years are understandably outliers. He has been one of the biggest game-wreckers in the league since joining, and Pittsburgh is betting that none of that will change with this new extension.
Steelers Are Expecting A Big Year From TJ Watt In 2025
Watt suffered an ankle injury late in the 2024 season which slowed down his production at the end of the year, and he should be looking to bounce back strongly in 2025. Whenever he has had a down year, or a contract dispute, he has shown up the following season in major ways.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers' TJ Watt against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2024.
After his hold-in in 2021, he led the league in sacks while tying the single-season record. Fans should expect a similar season in 2025, as the star defender lost his lead in the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year race and should be looking for revenge.
What do you expect from Watt throughout his new contract extension? Will his production fall off? Let us know in the comments below!
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