The Pittsburgh Steelers finally inked T.J. Watt to the contract extension we've all been waiting for. On Thursday, ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported that the superstar edge rusher is signing a three-year, $123 million contract, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
While it seemed like it took forever for Watt and the Steelers to agree to contract terms, it only took minutes for big brother J.J. Watt to take to social media.
Following the Watt extension news, NFL on CBS released a graphic showing a side-by-side comparison of J.J.'s career earnings next to what T.J. Watt will be earning on his new three-year extension... and J.J.'s comment was too perfect.
I swear, if this guy even lets me begin to reach for my wallet at dinner… https://t.co/R52TsWBgYP
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) July 17, 2025
The graphic shows that J.J. Watt earned $129.7 million over 12 years in the NFL, while T.J. Watt will earn $123 million in the three-year extension alone.
J.J. hilariously quoted the post and responded with, "I swear, if this guy even lets me begin to reach for my wallet at dinner…"
Isn't that just like a big brother to say in a moment like this?
The Pittsburgh Steelers just made T.J. Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL (again)
In all seriousness, we know that J.J. is thrilled for his little brother. He's shown up on podcasts and TV broadcasts over the years and made it clear to point this out.
With the contract extension, T.J. Watt becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. His $41 million per season average narrowly surpassed Myles Garrett's $40 million per year extension he earned early in the offseason.
But this isn't the first time the Steelers have broken precedent with Watt.
During the 2021 offseason, Watt was up for a contract extension and was getting set to play on the fifth-year option. When these talks ensued four years ago, the Steelers and Watt failed to reach a resolution until just days before Week 1 of the regular season, when Watt marched into the facility and finally signed the deal that was on the table.
The last time around, Watt signed a four-year $112 million contract extension, good for just over $28 million per season. It's wild how quickly the salary cap rises in the NFL. Just four years later, Watt is looking at more money over fewer years despite being in his 30s. His $41 million per year average blows his previous $28 million per year average out of the water.
For Steelers fans, this might feel like a gross overpay, and perhaps it will be. But T.J. Watt has been the heart and soul of this team and still has more to offer. Now that he's under contract for the long haul, we can all relax... and he can front the bill when he goes out to dinner with J.J.