E SPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler is hearing from NFL executives that teams could see the Pittsburgh Steelers considering moving on from All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt in 2027. Watt, who turns 32 in October, production has decreased significantly in the last two seasons.
"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."
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt in a game against the Houston Texans on Jan. 12, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
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 : Insider Sees Steelers Shopping T.J. Watt
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