T.J. Watt may not be on the trade block...yet, but teams around the league are circling.
Teams eye T.J. Watt as Steelers hold firm amid contract drama
Amid a stalled contract extension and a minicamp holdout, multiple teams have reportedly contacted the Pittsburgh Steelers to gauge the cost of acquiring the superstar edge rusher. Watt’s frustration has grown as the team absorbs expensive new contracts, most notably Jalen Ramsey’s $26.6 million salary, while his own deal, signed in 2021, now trails the market.
He’s set to become a free agent in 2026, and the Steelers’ hard cap stance has left the door cracked for a potential bidding war.
Texting with league personnel to gauge their reaction to Monday’s Steelers-Dolphins trade, one GM took note of Pittsburgh giving a raise to Jalen Ramsey while T.J. Watt remains without a new deal.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) June 30, 2025
Watt did not report to Steelers minicamp amid a contract standoff. pic.twitter.com/wen0oOW6SB
Watt’s leverage grows with each outside inquiry
While Pittsburgh remains publicly committed to keeping Watt long-term, sources around the league believe that Monday’s Minkah Fitzpatrick trade signaled a shift, or at least opened the possibility, for more blockbuster deals. Watt’s track record is undeniable: seven Pro Bowl nods, four first-team All-Pro selections, and a 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Even in what many called a “down year,” he racked up 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 27 QB hits. With pass rusher salaries soaring, Myles Garrett is now making $40 million per year. Watt, 31 in October, knows this is likely his final shot at a major payday.
Sources: In recent weeks, multiple teams have been discussing whether they can trade for Steelers’ standout T.J. Watt, who skipped the team’s most recent minicamp. Pittsburgh hasn’t shown any willingness to deal Watt so far, but he’s unhappy with his contractual situation and… pic.twitter.com/iBh1DJr4uD
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2025
Trade buzz builds, but Steelers still control the narrative
Despite the noise, Pittsburgh holds all the leverage. Watt is under contract for 2025, and the franchise tag is an option in both 2026 and 2027. That said, GM Omar Khan’s “win-now” roster construction, acquiring veterans like DK Metcalf and Ramsey, suggests keeping Watt remains the preferred plan.
But if contract talks continue to stall, expect teams like the Detroit Lions, New York Jets, and Houston Texans, flush with cap space and hungry for elite talent, to come calling.
For now, the Steelers aren’t shopping Watt. But the longer this drags on, the more real those trade talks could become.
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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