Contract negotiations in the NFL often boil down to one simple question: “What have you done for me lately?” It’s a fair question — one that every general manager must ask before inking a massive deal. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, that moment came this offseason when general manager Omar Khan and his staff decided to extend T.J. Watt on a new three-year deal worth $41 million per year.
At the time, no one in Pittsburgh wanted to imagine a world where Watt wasn’t wearing black and gold. His relentless motor, leadership, and ability to single-handedly shift games had made him the face of the franchise’s defensive identity. Extending him wasn’t just a business move — it was a statement of faith in the player who had carried this defense for years.
But as the season unfolds, that faith is starting to feel shaky.
Let’s be honest — the Steelers are still in a respectable spot at 4–2, but their record doesn’t tell the whole story. The two losses, particularly the 33–31 embarrassment against Joe Flacco and the Cincinnati Bengals, were winnable games.
They were games where Pittsburgh needed their superstar to take over, to be that guy. Instead, Watt was largely invisible when the team needed him most.
Through seven weeks, Watt’s numbers tell a concerning story. He’s logged four sacks (tied for 16th in the league), one forced fumble, and one interception. On paper, those stats might not seem terrible, but when you consider that Watt is the highest-paid defensive player in franchise history — and one of the top earners in the entire NFL — it’s far below expectations.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need TJ Watt to finish the season on a high note
At this pace, he’s on track to finish with around 10 sacks, which would mark his lowest total since 2022, a season in which he played only ten games due to injury.
The decline feels both subtle and significant. Watt still flashes brilliance — the quick first step, the ability to collapse pockets, the leadership presence — but the dominance that used to define him just hasn’t been there.
Opponents have certainly adjusted their blocking schemes to slow him down, sending double teams and chipping with tight ends, but the truly elite players — the ones who command $40 million a year — find ways to impact the game regardless.
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It’s not that Watt has become ineffective. It’s that his performances no longer feel game-changing. In a season where Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense have shown surprising resilience, Watt’s quiet nights are even harder to ignore. For years, the defense carried this franchise — now, it feels like the roles have reversed.
Maybe it’s unfair to call it an overpayment this early. Watt has earned the benefit of the doubt with his track record and work ethic. But the uncomfortable truth is that the Steelers are paying for dominance — and dominance has been missing in action.
There’s still plenty of football left for Watt to turn things around and remind everyone why he’s worth every penny. But if his production continues on this trajectory, Pittsburgh may soon find itself wondering whether loyalty and legacy clouded their judgment when it came time to write that check.
Because in today’s NFL, reputation doesn’t justify $41 million — results do.