Steelers Now
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler revealed the big holdup with All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt in his contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. It has to do with guaranteed money and it’s term length.
“Well, people I’ve talked to around the league believe it’s guaranteed money, it’s term length,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “A lot of the details, they get sticky this time of year, especially as you’re leading up to training camp. I talked to somebody with the team who said, ‘Look, these are complicated deals to do, but we are working on it. We want T.J. Watt here.’ There’s not a lot of traction right now as far as a potential trade — although there would certainly be a lot of interest if the Steelers would tap into that.
“This is a situation where [Watt] is probably going to be the highest-paid edge rusher in the league when this is all said and done. It just depends on when the Steelers can do it. Typically, they like to do their deals either around training camp or leading into Week 1. So, this is far from over.”
Pass rush market has exploded. By summer’s end, at least six of top-end rushers should or will have secured mega deal since March.
Taking stock of T.J. Watt, Trey Hendrickson and Micah Parsons status on @SportsCenter with @SkubieMageza pic.twitter.com/kaLLODTs0h
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 5, 2025
Fowler revealed on ESPN’s Get Up last week that Watt is miffed the organization is giving other players pay increases. He’s wondering when will he get his share.
“So Watt appears to be unhappy with the fact that look, you’re bringing in all these other players,” Fowler said. “You’re bringing in these veterans, and you’re paying DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey’s big salary. That could be money allocated to me.”
All-Pro wide receiver DK Metcalf got a five-year, $130 million contract from the Steelers this offseaosn, and he’s never played for the team before. Newly acquired players Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith also got pay increases in the blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins on Monday.
RELATED: Saunders: Cash Spending Irrelevant in Steelers Pursuit of T.J. Watt Extension
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said if the Steelers can’t resolve the issue soon, Watt could look to make things ugly.
“The problem is that the two sides are, we’re told, nowhere close on a new deal,” Florio wrote. “Watt, one of the very best defensive players is the game, is ready for any outcome and not afraid to push the issue.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Insider Reveals Big Holdup in T.J. Watt’s Contract Dispute with Steelers
