The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering training camp with one less piece of drama than expected. Star edge rusher TJ Watt has signed his new deal and will report to training camp. After a rough end to the 2024 season, he will be looking to come back strong and prove that he is still the same generational talent that he has always been. Contract negotiations of this magnitude are never fun for all parties involved, but it must have felt so good for both player and team to officially put pen to paper.
Instagram / @tjwatt90
Steelers' TJ Watt says bye to an away crowd after a road game.
However, Watt didn't seem too thrilled when he got the news that his latest offer had been accepted. Ben Roethlisberger had a text conversation with the former Defensive Player of the Year after the deal was done. On his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, he explained the humorous talks that the two had after terms were agreed upon.
"When I texted him, I told him, 'Congratulations,' and he said something like, 'Thanks, I appreciate it. I changed a diaper right after I got the news,' or something like that, and I was like, 'Of course you were,'" Roethlisberger explained. "I said, 'The good news is diapers are not cheap, and now you can afford 15 kids worth of diapers,' and he laughed."
Being an NFL superstar and a multi-millionaire doesn't mean that Watt can just step away from dad duties. His wife gave birth in February, so he is helping out with the new baby as much as he can before he reports to training camp. After the new deal he received, he won't have to worry about the price of diapers ever again, even if they decided to have another baby that may or may not grow up to terrorize quarterbacks like dad and uncle do.
Joe Sargent / Getty Images
Steelers superstar edge rusher TJ Watt lets out a thunderous roar after delivering a game-changing play against the Cleveland Browns, igniting the crowd and fueling Pittsburgh’s defensive momentum.
Even during preseason and the regular season, Watt won't be able to fully escape dad duties. Many women would argue that being a mom is a lot harder than playing football, so any free time the superstar has could just turn into him helping out with the newborn.
Steelers Could See Watt Step Up To Yet Another Level
There's one thing that seems to come to parents naturally after having a child. In Watt's case, it would be dad strength. It's one thing to play for yourself, the fame, the money, or other things. When you're doing anything for your new baby, everything gets turned up a notch. There is a very realistic chance that the superstar is faster and stronger by Week 1. If that's the case, he should just get the 2025 AP Defensive Player of the Year Award now.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker TJ Watt (90) goes for a sack against Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) in Week 13 on the road.
Watt does need a rebound season, and that's exactly what the Steelers are expecting from the 30-year-old. Racking up 11.5 sacks is still good, but it's not Watt-level production, especially when he had very little production during the last chunk of the season. With his newfound dad strength and massive extension, he will be expected to have a bit more than a sack per game.
Watt has routinely been the difference between wins and losses for the past half-decade for the Steelers. The team only has one win when he misses most of the game. Even after a down year, they need him to be on the field and performing his absolute best. Each Sunday, he will go from seemingly carrying the team on his back to carrying his baby around, as well as changing more diapers.
What do you think about Watt having to change his baby's diaper right after getting confirmation that his deal was done? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
#SteelerNation
