The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to give linebacker T.J. Watt another record-breaking contract extension this offseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt is entering the final year of his contract in 2025. With that said, it's fair to assume the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year will receive another massive contract extension this offseason and one that most believe will shatter the record.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is currently the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, earning $34 million per year. Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda thinks Watt will surpass that and then some.
"T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers is also in the final year of his four-year, $112 million contract he signed in 2022," Pauline writes . "Watt has combined for 30.5 sacks the past two seasons, winning Pro Bowl and various All-Pro honors each year. Sources say an extension now would award Watt somewhere in the range of $35 to $37 million annually."
That is quite the price tag of the 30-year-old who is coming off a bit of a down year in 2024, during which he registered the third least sacks in a season (11.5) in his career. The other two seasons were his rookie year (seven sacks) and 2022 (5.5 sacks) when he played in just 10 games due to a knee injury.
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt after suffering a left ankle injury against the Philadelphia Eagles on Dec. 15, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
However, the Steelers don't seem willing to part ways with Watt anytime soon. General manager Omar Khan said he hopes to extend Watt sooner rather than later .
"T.J.'s one of those legacy guys," Khan said . "I was around Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu . Those guys played their entire careers here and that's a special thing. I'm hopeful and confident that T.J. will be one of those guys."
If that's the case, the sooner, the better. Several other edge rushers are in line to receive contract extensions this offseason, including Cleveland Browns ' Myles Garrett , Dallas Cowboys ' Micah Parsons , Cincinnati Bengals ' Trey Hendrickson and Las Vegas Raiders ' Maxx Crosby .
Only time will tell when Watt will ink his next big deal, but it seems he'll be the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history once again when it happens.
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