Steelers Now
Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch did not hold back when discussing linebacker T.J. Watt’s future in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt skipped mandatory minicamp and OTAs as he is seeking a new contract. Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch isn’t so sure Watt is going to get that from Pittsburgh, though.
“That’s tough to say, because I don’t know how long he wants to play,” Batch said on the “Up & Adams Show.” “Typically, you sign a four-year deal and then let’s see what happens later on in his career. He needs to get closer to that Super Bowl, if not, winning that Super Bowl, for him to be convinced that he wants to stay here. He wants to be a one-helmet guy. Cam Heyward showed him how that works. But, ultimately, the goal in Pittsburgh is not to win division titles; it’s to win a Super Bowl. So, he’s going to pay attention to how the roster is made up.”
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 20, 2025
Watt’s current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season. He is likely looking for one that meets or beats the $40 million per year that the Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett earlier this offseason.
However, the 30-year-old may also be looking for the best opportunity to get a ring. Since being drafted in the first round (No. 30 overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, he has yet to win a playoff game.
It’s very unlikely the Steelers would entertain moving on from a player of Watt’s caliber, but it may be a route they would have to consider if he were to make things ugly.
Watt hasn’t shown any interest in taking that route yet. Following the 2024 season, he reaffirmed his commitment to the team.
“I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Watt said. “You guys know that. I don’t want to leave this place. I want to be part of the solution. I’ve put so much into it here.”
Still, Batch notes that football can be a tricky business at times, and if Pittsburgh isn’t willing to pay Watt’s big price tag, his days could be numbered in the Steel City.
“That’s the business of football,” Batch added. “When you look back, no matter how great you are, there’s a strong chance the team that you start with, you’re not going to finish with.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Former Steelers QB Gets Brutally Honest About T.J. Watt’s Future: ‘The Goal is Not to Win Division Titles’
