3 reasons Steelers shouldn’t sign J.J. Watt this offseason

Other needs

While adding a premier talent like Watt is never a bad idea, the fact of the matter is, the team has far greater needs than help along the defensive line. The Steelers currently have two of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the game in Stephon Tuitt and Cameron Heyward as well as a stout nose tackle in Tyson Alualu (assuming the team can re-sign him). The line could use some depth, but that is far from a pressing need.

That means if his contract is anywhere over the minimum, it will be taking away from a position that actually needs the help. While the team won’t be active in free agency, they will certainly try to add a player here and there on the cheap. As well, they have a laundry list of in-house free agents I’d imagine they would want to re-sign. Putting that money towards Watt would limit the moves they could make elsewhere.

The only way a deal with Watt doesn’t inhibit the team from filling in holes elsewhere is if he plays for the minimum. As stated before, don’t expect that to happen, as his value is well above that. The team has a lot of holes that will need to be filled in 2021, and the defensive line isn’t one of them. The Steelers would be wise to invest their little resources into a position that needs it, not one that is a luxury.