Steelers Now
During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided the latest on T.J. Watt’s contract situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite a report suggesting that Watt will exceed Myles Garrett’s record-breaking deal, Rapoport hasn’t got an indication that will occur.
“I still believe it’s gonna work out. But I hadn’t heard that number,” Rapoport said. “And I hadn’t heard that anything is imminent.”
The Cleveland Browns made Garrett the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history this offseason by giving him a contract extension that pays him $40 million per year. Meanwhile, Watt is scheduled to earn just $21.05 million in salary in 2025, none of which is guaranteed.
“If he gets more than Myles, I would say that is awesome for T.J.,” he said. “These are the guys you pay. He’s great. He’s a good guy. He is the face of the franchise.”
Rapoport added that he thinks there’s a long way to go until Watt and the Steelers reach a deal. Watt could have a hold-in during training camp like he did in 2021.
"I still believe things are going to work out between TJ Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers..
These are tough deals to do and I think we've got a ways to go on this one" ~ @RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/gf4ZHdPTYN
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 27, 2025
The 30-year-old edge rusher is coming off the least-productive full season of his NFL career, having recorded 11.5 sacks over 17 games. Watt also led the NFL with six forced fumbles. A late-season injury significantly slowed him down, with Watt recording just seven tackles and no sacks over the final four games of the season.
However, Garrett had a very comparable 14-sack campaign last year. He also recorded three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Since entering the league in 2017, Watt has 108 sacks, 33 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, seven interceptions and 50 passes defensed.
During that same span, Garrett has 102.5 sacks, 20 forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and 17 passes defensed.
So it seems like it’s only a matter of time until the Steelers give Watt the payday he’s looking for and make him the new highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson are two big-time edge rushers awaiting new deals, as well. Adam Schefter of ESPN believes Parsons will be become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL history.
“I think Myles Garrett is in his own class. Like, Micah Parsons is four years younger I believe than Myles Garret and had more quarterback pressures, more wins against opposing offensive lineman. And Myles Garrett is a Hall of Fame defensive end, Hall of Fame pass rusher. But Micah Parsons had numbers that beat his and he’s four years younger. That’s why I think Micah is gonna be the highest-paid defensive player,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show earlier this month. “T.J. Watt’s gonna get a really, really strong deal,...
