The T.J. Watt contract extension is one of the biggest off-season questions for the Pittsburgh Steelers now that their quarterback situation appears settled. While no deal is finalized, head coach Mike Tomlin remains hopeful an extension gets done despite Watt not attending minicamp. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, after the Steelers minicamp on Thursday, Tomlin said, “I’m optimistic we’re going to get things done because we got two sides that want to get things done. When that’s going to occur… I do not know.”
T.J. Watt Contract Extension Still Could Get Done Soon
T.J. Watt Contract Extension: Entering Final Year
Watt is entering the final year of his contract. He’s set to earn $21.05 million, with a cap hit of $30.418 million for the 2025 season. He turns 31 in October, which raises some long-term questions. Still, a T.J. Watt contract extension would help the Steelers keep a core franchise piece and game changer as they aim to break their eight-year drought without a playoff win and possibly embark on a Super Bowl run before Watt retires.
Watt’s Best Season and 2024 Production
Watt’s 2024 production dipped slightly, but he still delivered high-level results. He recorded 11.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and 40 solo tackles, continuing to disrupt offenses on a weekly basis. His career-best came in 2021 when he tied the NFL single-season sack record with 22.5 sacks and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
In 2023, at age 32, Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Khalil Mack posted a career-high 17 sacks, proving that elite production is possible well into a player’s 30s. That sets a strong precedent for Watt’s ability to remain a dominant force even as he gets older.
Watt’s Leadership and Locker Room Role
T.J. Watt doesn’t just lead on the stat sheet; he sets the tone for the entire Steelers defense. Younger Steeler players, including Nick Herbig, consistently look to T.J. for guidance, whether in film study, on the practice field, or during games. His relentless work ethic, discipline, and intensity define the identity of Pittsburgh’s defense. A T.J. Watt contract extension wouldn’t just preserve his on-field impact; it would help maintain the culture built around him in the locker room. Watt brings accountability and expectation every day, and few players in the league carry that kind of presence.
Since the end of the Ben Roethlisberger era, the Steelers have leaned heavily on their defense to stay competitive while searching for a reliable quarterback. T.J. Watt has consistently delivered in those moments, making game-changing plays when the team needs them most. Whether it’s a strip sack in a key fourth-quarter drive or constant pressure that disrupts a quarterback, Watt finds ways to impact game outcomes. He ranks among the greatest players to ever wear the black and gold.
Steelers Defensive Tradition Should Lead to A Potential T.J. Watt Contract Extension
Pittsburgh has always valued its defensive stars. Players like Troy Polamalu, James Harrison, and Cameron Heyward all earned long-term commitments. T.J. Watt belongs in that same elite tier. A T.J. Watt contract extension would reflect the Steelers’ defensive identity and long-term commitment to elite talent. The Steelers value T.J. Watt too much to risk losing him. With Mike Tomlin stating both sides are showing interest in an extension, signs point to Pittsburgh locking in their defensive star for the long term.
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