As training camp approaches and T.J. Watt's contract drama continues to hover, questions about his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers are growing louder. While there is still optimism inside the building that a deal will get done, it is becoming more plausible that Watt may not be with the Steelers much longer.
Extending the four-time first-team All-Pro would seem like an obvious move. But when you look deeper, there are multiple angles that suggest the team could go in another direction. In particular, a trade is not as crazy as it sounds.
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 16, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Watt, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, is entering the final season of his four-year, $112 million contract and is seeking a new deal worth somewhere between $35 million and $40 million annually. There is no doubt Watt has been one of the most dominant defensive players of the last decade. Still, there is a legitimate argument for why handing him another blockbuster extension might not be the smartest long-term move.
Watt still has gas left in the tank, but there was a slight dip in production in 2024. He played all 17 games but recorded just 11.5 sacks, a strong season for most players, but a noticeable drop from his 19.5 sacks in 2023. While sacks do not tell the full story, and Watt remained effective in other areas, the broader concern is what history tells us about aging edge rushers.
Take his older brother J.J. Watt for example. In his first eight seasons, J.J. totaled 92 sacks. Over the following three years, he posted just 10. That is not to suggest T.J. will follow the same path, but it is important context when evaluating whether to hand out another high-dollar, multi-year deal into his 30s.
There is no denying that losing Watt would hurt the defense. But Pittsburgh is not in dire straits at the position either. Alex Highsmith has proven to be more than capable as a starter over the last four years. Fourth-round pick Nick Herbig flashed as a rookie in 2024 and looks like a dependable rotational player who could develop into more with a larger role.
Pittsburgh also drafted Jack Sawyer out of Ohio State this year—a player many considered a steal after a prolific season anchoring the Buckeyes defense. That gives the Steelers at least three solid options on the edge, along with promising talent up front.
First-round pick Derek Harmon and fifth-rounder Yahya Black bolster the interior defensive line. Keanu Benton has already flashed the ability to be a long-term contributor. Altogether, the Steelers have the bodies and upside to withstand the loss of Watt if the return value is right
Hypothetical Proposed Trade Scenario
Steelers receive:
2026 first-round pick
Lions receive:
EDGE T.J. Watt
The Lions already have one of the NFL's best offensive arsenals. Amon-Ra St. Brown is among the league's premier pass catchers. Sam LaPorta is one of the most dangerous receiving tight ends in football. The backfield combo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery is arguably the most dynamic in the league. Tim Patrick adds reliable depth at wide receiver. Even without Jameson Williams, the Lions have more than enough firepower to compete.
Watt would immediately give them one of the most lethal pass-rushing tandems in the league alongside Aidan Hutchinson . He could be the missing piece on a team that is already knocking on the door of true Super Bowl contention. According to USA Today and Lions Wire , Detroit ranks fifth in the NFL in available cap space, with just under $50 million, more than enough to absorb Watt's current contract or negotiate an extension.
From Pittsburgh's perspective, the trade finally solves its wide receiver depth issue. Jameson Williams brings rare speed and deep-threat ability, which could open up space for D.K. Metcalf and give Aaron Rodgers another weapon in a clear win-now season. Williams is still on a rookie contract, making him a cost-efficient addition to the offense.
It is worth noting, however, that Williams has had some off-field concerns. He served a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's gambling policy and was later disciplined under the league's substance abuse policy. He was also involved in a traffic stop where a firearm was found in his vehicle without a concealed carry permit. While no charges were filed and the league did not issue further discipline, those incidents raised red flags for some teams. Since then, however, Williams has stayed out of trouble and was a key contributor to Detroit's explosive passing game in 2024, posting over 1,000 receiving yards. The Steelers, especially after moving on from George Pickens due in part to behavioral concerns, would need to do their homework. But based on recent form, Williams appears to have turned the corner.
The Steelers would also gain a 2026 first-round pick, allowing them to fill another need in the future or even package it to move up for a quarterback if Rodgers' time in Pittsburgh is short. It gives them flexibility while still competing in the present.
Re-signing T.J. Watt is probably still the safest and smartest move. He is the unquestionable leader of the defense and still an elite player. But when you zoom out and examine the situation with a long-term lens, it becomes clear that a trade is not as far-fetched or reckless as it may seem.
The Steelers could part ways with a franchise icon and still come out with a younger, faster offense, more draft capital and a defensive front that remains competitive. Not every tough decision is a bad one.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Should the Steelers Trade T.J. Watt? A Closer Look at a Bold Idea
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