We know it's only a matter of time before the Pittsburgh Steelers hand T.J. Watt another lofty contract extension. But after the latest report, Omar Khan and the front office must act fast.
Watt isn't the only superstar edge rusher in the market for a lucrative new contract. Joining him are high-profile All-Pros Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. Garrett, who was the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, requested a trade this offseason, though the Cleveland Browns have not granted the request.
But what's even scarier than Garrett staying in Cleveland and potentially facing the Steelers for the rest of his career is the record-setting contract coming his way.
According to Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot, Garrett seeks $40 million per season in average annual earnings on a new contract.
“[General manager Andrew Berry is] also open to signing him to a blockbuster extension which would likely make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL at about $40 million a year," Cabot proclaimed via More For You Cleveland.
Entering the 2025 offseason, the average annual earnings of the top five edge rushers in the NFL is $28.6 million with Nick Bosa leading the pack at $34 million per season, per Over the Cap. This unheard-of projection proves the Steelers must act fast on a T.J. Watt contract extension.
Pittsburgh Steelers must extend T.J. Watt's contract before Myles Garrett resets the market
Earlier in the week, NFL Insider Tony Pauline predicted that the Pittsburgh Steelers could be in line to hand Watt a deal in the ballpark of $35-37 million per season. Unfortunately, if Myles Garrett or Micah Parsons' extension comes first, Omar Khan and the front office can kiss any trace of a team-friendly contract goodbye.
Watt's price is going to be steep no matter what. But if Garrett resets the market with contract figures averaging around $40 million per season, the Steelers will have no choice but to follow suit.
Sadly, we can envision a scenario where the Steelers make a poor financial move when it comes to Watt's new contract. Despite the Hall of Fame resume he has built over the years, the Steelers will be paying for the numbers that he put up in the past; not for the player they think they will be getting at age 31 and beyond.
The last thing we want to see is fans become resentful toward Watt because he's not living up to his contract numbers in his 30s.
The Steelers can avoid all of this by getting on top of the situation. However, we could see a repeat of the 2021 offseason. Four years ago, Watt's party staged a training camp 'hold-in' until Watt finally marched to the facility and inked his extension just before the start of the season.
If contract disputes drag out this long for the Steelers, it's going to cost them. As soon as Garrett resets the market, Watt's agent will use Garrett's new contract as a baseline in negotiations. To ensure this doesn't happen, Khan needs to come in swift and hot with an offer Watt can't refuse.
Based on Garrett's jaw-dropping contract projections, the Steelers should offer $37 million per season with the first two years fully guaranteed. This would make Watt the highest-paid edge rusher in NFL history... that is until Garrett and Parsons get their deals. The time to act is now.