But several teams around the NFL are quietly keeping an eye on the situation, and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN was the one who put it into words this week.
"Watt, for all his greatness, turns 32 in October and has guaranteed salaries of $32 million in both 2026 and 2027," Fowler wrote. "Watt is a legacy player, something Pittsburgh values more than most. But some teams could see Pittsburgh at least considering moving on from him."
Steelers Could Move TJ Watt
Watt signed a three-year, $123 million extension last July that made him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in NFL history at $41 million annually.
Alex Highsmith has one more year remaining on his current deal.
Nick Herbig, 24 years old, is entering an extension year after posting 7.5 sacks in 2025, the best of his young career.
If the Steelers commit to Herbig long-term, carrying three significant contracts at edge rusher simultaneously becomes an extremely difficult proposition for a roster trying to address needs elsewhere.
Teams could see Pittsburgh considering moving on from T.J. Watt in 2027, per @JFowlerESPN pic.twitter.com/0ygyAJByTU
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) May 14, 2026
That is where the Watt trade conversation begins.
The Steelers used the 2026 draft to aggressively upgrade the offensive side of the ball, selecting offensive tackle Max Iheanachor 21st overall, trading up for receiver Germie Bernard at pick 47, and adding quarterback Drew Allar in the third round.
With a more complete roster elsewhere, trading Watt for a first-round pick becomes a conversation that at least makes organizational sense even if it runs counter to everything Pittsburgh typically represents.
The Bears, who ranked 31st in pass-rush win rate last season, and the Chiefs, who are perennially looking for ways to add premium pass-rush talent around Patrick Mahomes, have been named as the teams most frequently cited in the Watt speculation.
The Rams have also been linked, with Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report proposing a package of a first-round pick and Byron Young.
Wow: The legendary Mike Tomlin speaks on why he stepped down as the Steelers head coach.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 27, 2026
“We didn’t have a lot of success in the playoffs in recent years. Guys like Cam Heyward and TJ Watt and Boswell that I thought were worthy of the excitement and optimism associated with new… pic.twitter.com/uzeilhxyjh
Whether any of those calls actually come depends entirely on the Herbig negotiation.
If Pittsburgh extends him before the season, the pressure to create cap space at edge rusher grows. If Herbig hits free agency, the entire equation changes.
Watt has spent ten seasons building one of the great edge rusher legacies in franchise history, with eight Pro Bowls, four All-Pro selections, and the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Photo Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
