Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward weighed in on T.J. Watt’s contract situation during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday. Heyward told WWE superstar Seth Rollins, who was filling in for Rich Eisen, that Watt deserves a big payday from the Steelers.
“Man, that’s my brother,” Heyward said. “I want that dude to get paid what he deserves. That dude is one of the most fierce and best players in our league. And he’s respected throughout the league. I’ve had the best time being able to play with him, and I hope this year is not the last time we play together, because that dude, that’s my running mate, and we create a lot of havoc together. And I just want to see that guy continue to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, and be a one-helmet guy.”
There have been rumors that Watt could be dealt by the Steelers. If there’s even a slight chance of that happening, Heyward joked that he’ll step in.
“I’m going up to Omar [Khan] and I’m telling him, ‘That’s not happening,’” Heyward joked. “If there is even a trade that gets up there. I don’t think it helps our team to trade a guy like that.”
The @steelers stalwart has a very simple message when it comes to his fellow defensive teammate @_TJWatt contract situation:#NFL #HereWeGo @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/qr6rtC6t4F
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) July 16, 2025
The Steelers are trying to work on an extension for All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who is heading into the final year of his contract. However, the two sides are reportedly not very close to a deal. So what’s the holdup?
ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler recently shed some light on the situation.
“Pittsburgh remains optimistic. I’m told they want to get a deal done,” Fowler said on ESPN’s Get Up. “I know there’s been the trade chatter out there. Teams I’ve talked to don’t really expect him to be moved, but this is an issue of guaranteed money as a sticking point. The structure of the deal, all those details.”
Watt is currently scheduled to make just $21.05 million in salary in 2025, none of which is guaranteed.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was just made the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history this offseason with a contract extension that pays him $40 million per year.
That is likely the number Watt is trying to match or break, but Fowler doesn’t think that is the problem.
“Most people I talk to around the league do expect him to be the highest-paid pass rusher when he does get paid,” Fowler said. “That doesn’t seem to be an issue. It’s about the other details that they haven’t been able to lock in on between the team and the player.”
The Steelers seem to be proceeding with caution since the 30-year-old is coming off the least-productive full season of his NFL career.
However, Watt still proved to be a...
