NFL analyst Ollie Connolly believes Pittsburgh Steelers ' All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt 's best days are behind him. Watt, who turns 32 in October, production has decreased significantly in the last two seasons.
"I think the decline is really real," Connolly said on NFL Daily with Greg Rosenthal. "He is such a high-profile player and the big plays are so impactful, but he's just become such a boom or bust player relying on one thing from one alignment and he still creates havoc and he can still create chaos. But when you start to see a player like that decline. I do get worried that the impact just gets deadended and deadended."
Rosenthal and Connolly had Watt ranked as the 11th-best edge rusher in the NFL.
E SPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler is hearing from NFL executives that teams could see the Steelers considering moving on from Watt in 2027.
"Pittsburgh's No. 3 edge rusher produced 7.5 sacks in a part-time role last season, and plenty of teams would be glad to make him a full-time starter," Fowler wrote. "Ascending pass rushers get paid. The Steelers want to keep Herbig, but also have TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith on the books. If Herbig makes it to free agency, he'll be a player who's not a household name, but could be paid as one.
"To the point above: If the Steelers end up signing Herbig long-term, having three large contracts allocated to one position is a tough proposition. Watt, for all his greatness, turns 32 in October and has guaranteed salaries of $32 million in both 2026 and 2027. 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 legend James Harrison expects Watt to only play a few more years in the black and gold. Watt is on the wrong side of 30. He has also dealt with a slew of injuries over the last two years.
"T.J. has a lot of guaranteed money left on his contract," Harrison recently said on his Deebo & Joe podcast. "T.J. has [20260 and [2027]. I don't see him going anywhere unless they could potentially get something for him in a trade because I don't see anybody taking a $42 million cap hit in each year.
"So, [2026] and [2027] is $42 million each, and that is fully guaranteed. Then, [2028], it's not guaranteed, but he has a roster bonus that is due of $15 million on the third day of the new league year. "So, I hate to say it, in all reality, I would see them releasing him in [2028], along with him being 34 at the time."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Analyst Believes T.J. Watt's Decline Is for Real: 'Boom or Bust Player'
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