Transfer Rumors: T.J. Watt at the Center of the Conversation
In recent weeks, several teams have explored the possibility of acquiring the prominent Pittsburgh Steelers’ pass rusher, T.J. Watt. Sources close to the situation revealed that the player did not participate in the team’s most recent minicamp.
So far, the Steelers have not shown a willingness to negotiate Watt. However, the player’s contract situation has generated discontent, and the interest of other teams is expected to increase, especially after the recent trade involving cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith.
The Steelers have expressed their desire for Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh.
Ramsey will receive a $1.5 million raise this season, bringing his compensation for 2025 to $26.6 million. The Steelers will assume the majority of Ramsey’s contract for this season, while the Dolphins will pay $3 million. Smith will sign a one-year contract extension worth $12 million.
Watt, who is entering the final year of his current contract with the Steelers, also missed voluntary offseason activities while trying to negotiate a new deal.
Watt signed a four-year, $112 million contract in 2021, averaging $28 million per year. However, Myles Garrett redefined the market for quarterback hunters three months ago with a record deal that averages $40 million annually and includes $123.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback player in NFL history.
Watt, who will turn 31 in October, has not spoken publicly since the end of the 2024 season. In April, he apparently expressed his frustration with the negotiations by posting a photo on his Instagram story where he was seen making the peace sign while wearing a Steelers jersey.
Image of T.J. Watt on Instagram
Watt has 108 career sacks, 5.5 more than Garrett and the sixth-most among active NFL players. The four-time All-Pro was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and has played his entire eight-year career with the Steelers.
