While working through T.J. Watt’s contract, the Pittsburgh Steelers have not considered trading their star pass rusher, according to Mark Kaboly, who is affiliated with ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’
Kaboly explained that although negotiations for an extension continue, there are no expectations of Watt holding out during training camp, which begins on July 23.
Currently, Watt is concluding the final year of his four-year, $112 million contract signed just before the start of the 2022 season. He previously held a truncated hold-in during training camp that year before agreeing to an extension that made him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player at the time.
It’s widely believed that Watt aims to reclaim that top position, now occupied by Myles Garrett, who recently secured a four-year, $160 million extension this offseason.
With an annual average salary of over $28 million, Watt is currently the seventh highest-paid pass rusher in the NFL, about $12 million less than Garrett.
Though the Steelers have enough salary space for Watt to potentially be the NFL’s highest-paid defender, the team’s willingness to provide such an offer remains uncertain.
After being selected for a seventh consecutive Pro Bowl, Watt’s performance last season was below standard. He led the league in forced fumbles but recorded only 11.5 sacks, significantly fewer than his previous year.
Considering the outcome of last season, the Steelers would likely prefer to evaluate Watt’s performance this season before granting him a record-breaking contract. They may consider shifting his position to leverage his strengths more effectively.
The most probable outcome is that Watt will secure an extension prior to the upcoming season. Both parties are motivated to reach an agreement, and such situations typically lead to successful negotiations. However, with the current financial landscape, finalizing the deal may require some time.
While the notion of trading Watt is not impossible, it seems unlikely at this point, unless negotiations stall, or if he threatens to miss time during the regular season. No indications suggest that this would be an issue for Watt at this time, making the concept of the Steelers trading their best player seem far-fetched.
