T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a three-year extension that will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history once again. Watt, who leads the NFL with 73.5 sacks over the past five seasons, did not report to the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp in June as the two sides worked through negotiations. With the contract now finalized, Watt is expected to report to the Steelers’ training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday.
The timing of the agreement is ideal, as the Steelers report to training camp on Wednesday. It had been uncertain whether Watt would sign an extension before camp began. This deal concludes months of uncertainty surrounding Watt’s future in Pittsburgh. While the team consistently expressed its desire to retain the star linebacker, contract disputes led to his minicamp absence. Ultimately, both sides found a resolution that benefits them.
Watt, who turns 31 in October, agreed to a three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers on Thursday afternoon, according to sources. The deal includes $108 million fully guaranteed at signing and averages $41 million per year. This slightly surpasses the four-year, $160 million extension signed earlier this offseason by AFC North rival Myles Garrett, which averaged $40 million annually.
Watt was entering the final year of a four-year, $112 million extension signed just before the 2022 season, which at the time made him the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player. Since then, several players had surpassed that figure, most notably Garrett.
A seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, Watt became the eighth player in Steelers’ history to win Defensive Player of the Year when he took home the award in 2021. That season, he tied Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record with 22.5, despite missing two games. In 2022, he broke James Harrison’s franchise career sack record. Last season, Watt became the second-fastest player in NFL history to reach 100 career sacks and now stands at 108.
He has led the NFL in sacks three times (2020, 2021, and 2023) and has played every game over the past two seasons after a pectoral tear cost him significant time in 2022. Despite a noticeable decline in play late in the 2024 season and into the postseason, which raised concerns for the Steelers, Watt still recorded 61 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries that season.
Since being drafted 30th overall in 2017, Watt has been one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players. Along with leading the league in sacks three times, he has also led in forced fumbles twice, including in 2024. However, his performance dipped late last season. He had just 2 sacks and 4 quarterback hits during Pittsburgh’s five-game losing streak to end the season.
While Watt’s individual accomplishments are impressive, he is still seeking success in the postseason. He enters the 2025 season with an 0-5 record in playoff games. The Steelers are looking to end a playoff win drought that dates back to Watt’s rookie season.
