With market-resetting contracts looming for Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons, we knew the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to act fast when getting T.J. Watt locked up to an extension. Unfortunately, it was Maxx Crosby and the Las Vegas Raiders who beat Steelers general manager Omar Khan to the punch.
On Wednesday, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Raiders have signed Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension, including $91.5 million in guarantees. This record-setting contract makes Crosby the highest-paid edge rusher in NFL history with a new money average of $35.5 million per season—topping Nick Bosa's $34 million per year.
While the Raiders' front office is no doubt rejoicing by being the first to the table to complete negotiations with their star edge rusher, the Steelers front office should be biting their fingernails and praying that it doesn't happen again.
The price tag for the Pittsburgh Steelers to sign T.J. Watt just went up after Maxx Crosby's extension
Though Crosby is nearly three years younger than Watt—and should have more proverbial gas left in the tank—Watt has been far more productive over the years. Even in what was considered a down year in 2024, the Steelers star finished his campaign with 11.5 sacks, 19 tackles for a loss, and 27 quarterback hits while leading the NFL with six forced fumbles.
Crosby, meanwhile, recorded just 7.5 sacks in 2024 and failed to register a forced fumble in 12 games. Though raw statistics don't tell the whole tale, they will be used as talking points for NFL agents looking for their clients to get paid.
Previous contract predictions from NFL Insider Tony Pauline suggested the Steelers could get Watt signed for an extension in the ballpark of $35-37 million in new money average. That's no longer happening. Because Las Vegas beat Pittsburgh to the punch with Crosby's deal, the price tag just went up for Watt.
If the Steelers want to ensure it doesn't spike again, they need to strike a deal with Watt before Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons agree to an extension with their respective teams. When Garrett and Parsons get their new deals, they are guaranteed to reset the market again, and there have already been talks of the Browns being willing to offer $40 million per season to Garrett in a contract extension.
The last time T.J. Watt was up for a new contract, his agent chose to drag negotiations out as long as possible to get the best deal for his client. Eventually, just before the start of the 2021 season, Watt marched into the front office and signed his contract so that negotiations wouldn't linger into the season.
Since his last extension, Watt has earned four Pro Bowls, two First-Team All-Pros, and Defensive Player of the Year honors. I think it's safe to assume Watt's agents are going to ask for the moon in negotiations.
If history repeats itself and Pittsburgh's negotiations with Watt's party linger through the summer, his contract numbers are going to be anything but team-friendly. The Raiders screwed the Steelers with Watt's negotiations by getting Maxx Crosby signed early, and Omar Khan can't let the Browns or Cowboys beat them to the punch.