This never-ending QB drama wasn’t enough, as the Steelers have now found themselves pondering what to do with 7-time Pro Bowler TJ Watt. His cryptic message holding a peace sign made headlines this week. Analysts all across the NFL are saying the same thing: that the negotiations aren’t going too well. So, with the Steelers in a contractual standoff with their former NFL defensive Player of the Year, there’s one franchise that is the bookies’ favorite to pounce on the prospect of signing Watt. Let’s just say they have all they need to land the Steelers superstar edge rusher. But the question is, can or will they do it?
The franchise in focus here is the New England Patriots. BetOnline has predicted that the Patriots will be the favorites to sign Watt if the Steelers can’t come to terms with him. But why the Patriots? Well, the answer lies in their off-season activity, need, and, of course, the man at the helm. The Patriots had the biggest purse going into free agency. And boy, Mike Vrabel splashed cash on defensive players like he was expected to. Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane, Milton Williams, and Carlton Davis III have all joined the Patriots’ secondary.
Considering they have heavily poured into defensive additions, it wouldn’t be surprising if they also target Watt. With $68M still remaining in their offseason budget, the Patriots can easily give Watt the money he wants. However, the real question is how much they are willing to give up to land the 4-time All-Pro. Just to remind you, he still has one year left on his $112M extension signed in 2021. This means the Patriots will have no option but to trade for TJ. And this could become a major hurdle for them.
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐑𝐔𝐌𝐎𝐑:
The Steelers and TJ Watt are at a “standstill” in contract negotiations.
Teams are expected to call about the star DE but the Steelers are not going down that road… yet. pic.twitter.com/XkRkZzh2bm
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) April 12, 2025
Given Watt’s experience, explosiveness, and ability to change the game at will, he would cost a lot. Probably the Patriots’ No.4 pick, a few more first-round picks and more. So, are they really willing to spend that much? Well, to me, it won’t be a terrible idea. New England is already gunning for a top-edge rusher. Penn State’s Abdul Carter is the best one in this year’s draft. But the chances of him still being available when the Pats are on the clock are slim.
Even if they do get him, it’s not like Carter can come in and have the impact Watt could offer. Abdul may need some time to settle, having just left campus lights for NFL stardom. So, it’s totally up to Vrabel whether Watt is worth the price they are willing to offer. While the Patriots wait in the shadows, the time is possibly running out for the Steelers to get Watt off the market.
Steelers’ new headache: TJ Watt’s contract
“Reward your players earlier and reap the benefits in the long run. Dragging it out not only ends up costing more, it creates unnecessary tension. The longer you wait, the higher the price,” said JJ Watt, TJ’s older brother, last month. JJ, who was a 3-time Defensive Player of the Year, had already warned the Steelers about his brother’s contract, but they didn’t listen. Now, their ignorance has turned into a headache for the Steelers. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on Thursday, “The negotiations aren’t going as well as anybody had hoped. I think we can safely say the contract talks between TJ Watt and the Steelers are not off to a riveting start.”
Rapoport’s claims came against the backdrop of the cryptic post Watt shared on Wednesday. Watt, who is expected to make only $21M, is probably holding out for something bigger. Considering the edge rushers market exploded with Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett’s brief capture of the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB, Watt is also hoping to join their club. Given that Watt has had 88 sacks since 2019, which is even higher than Garrett’s 82, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Watt wants a price that matches his value.
And if you look at the overall numbers, 108 sacks in just 121 career games. Giving Watt a deal close to what Garrett and Crosby are earning wouldn’t be a bad investment. At least it will help the Steelers keep a future Hall of Famer in their ranks for another half-decade. Only time will tell how this Watt saga will end. With a QB room to fill and Watt to satisfy, the Steelers’ offseason is catching up to them.
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