There is some positive news for the Pittsburgh Steelers after their division rival, the Cleveland Browns, traded Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. Pittsburgh will no longer have to face Garrett twice a year, which is a significant relief. Cleveland also appears to have taken a step back for the upcoming season, giving the Steelers a stronger opportunity to compete in the division.
While this may seem like positive news for the Steelers on the surface, it could also spark some regret.
T.J. Watt is still a marquee name, but his 2025 performance raised some concerns. The former star did not look like himself at times, and he is not getting any younger. It is fair to wonder if Cleveland made the smarter long-term decision by trading their elite pass rusher while his value was at its peak.
No matter whether you agree with the idea of trading Watt or not, that door is closed for now. He is coming off a disappointing season, and his cap hit is extremely high. Pittsburgh could have moved him after the 2024 season and received significant value in return.
If Watt is unable to bounce back, the Steelers could end up feeling jealous of the Browns’ Myles Garrett trade.
The Pittsburgh Steelers should regret not dealing T.J. Watt after stunning Myles Garrett trade
It is clear that the Browns are entering a rebuilding phase with their eyes on the 2027 NFL Draft. Trading Garrett is a strong signal of that approach. This is the type of move the Steelers have been hesitant to make. They continue to push to win now, but in reality, they remain stuck in the middle. There is no clear end in sight when it comes to their ongoing playoff struggles.
When Watt’s value was at its peak, Pittsburgh had an opportunity to trade him for a significant return, including a proven veteran and valuable draft picks.
It could have mirrored the type of package Cleveland received for Myles Garrett. Instead, the Steelers chose to keep their defensive star and commit substantial money to him despite growing concerns about his age and the way opposing offenses have started to limit his impact.
Moving Watt a year or two ago likely would have pushed the Steelers into a rebuild. However, if they had gained an extra first-round pick in return, the downturn might have been brief, potentially lasting just one season before targeting a promising quarterback in the following draft.
Instead, the team remains stuck in the middle, hoping that Drew Allar or Will Howard can eventually develop into their next franchise quarterback.
This is largely speculative, as Watt is unlikely to be traded anytime soon, and his contract could age poorly if his performance continues to decline with age. Myles Garrett being moved out of the AFC North is excellent news for the Steelers, but it also highlights something sinister.
If the Browns emerge as winners of that deal, it could cast Pittsburgh’s decision regarding Watt in a negative light.
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