On Thursday, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally put an end to months of speculation and sealed the deal with their defensive anchor, T.J. Watt. The three-year, $123 million extension makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, and honestly, it's worth every penny.
The waiting is over—and what a sigh of relief it is.
Watt has been the heart and soul of this defense since 2017, and locking him in for another three years is a massive win for Pittsburgh.
But while fans are thrilled to keep No. 90 in the black and gold, there’s another reason this move is exciting—rookie Jack Sawyer.
The former Ohio State standout comes to Pittsburgh with plenty of promise. He’s a high-motor, relentless edge rusher who’s already shown flashes of brilliance. In many ways, his game reminds me of a young T.J. Watt. He ended his collegiate career with 144 tackles and 23 sacks.
Now, with Watt sticking around, Sawyer has the perfect mentor to help mold his early NFL career.
That’s the real magic of this deal. Beyond securing a generational talent, the Steelers have created a golden opportunity for their rookie to learn from the very best.
TJ Watt's contract etxension place the Pittsburgh Steelers in a win-win situation
Watt knows how to get to the quarterback, how to diagnose plays before the snap, and how to stay disciplined within Mike Tomlin’s system.
Having that kind of leadership in the same meeting room, in the same drills, on the same field—it’s priceless for a developing player like Sawyer.
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I fully expect Watt to take Sawyer under his wing during this next stretch of his career. With both players possessing similar skillsets, Watt’s growing versatility could also open up snaps for Sawyer to make an early impact off the edge.
The veteran gets to expand his game while the rookie gets valuable reps.
It’s a win-win scenario.
This extension isn’t just good news—it’s a foundational move for the future. It maintains our pass-rushing identity while providing our promising young linebacker with the best possible teacher.
Pittsburgh’s defense just became that much scarier, not just for 2025 but for years to come. TJ Watt got the bag, and Jack Sawyer might’ve just gotten the best mentor in football. That’s music to everyone's ears in the Steel City.