Steelers Now
An NFL insider examines what the Pittsburgh Steelers could net from trading away outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
The Pittsburgh Steelers paid outside linebacker Nick Herbig big-time money, signing him to a four-year, $100 million contract extension this week. That has many believing the team could soon move on from one of fellow outside linebackers T.J. Watt or Alex Highsmith.
NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk recently revealed what Watt could net the Steelers in a trade.
“I think it starts with a first round pick. The question is, how much more does it go beyond that,” Florio said on Pittsburgh’s 93.7 The Fan. “We know that not every first-round pick is created equal, a high first-round pick, a low first-round pick, what do we expect this first-round pick to eventually be? I think that’s part of the analysis that the team does.”
The Steelers have shown zero interest in moving on from Watt or Highsmith, despite all three players now set to demand a large percentage of the team’s salary cap.
However, Florio isn’t so sure one of them isn’t eventually dealt, whether that be this season or next.
“It’s odd to go three deep. It makes you wonder what the plan is,” Florio continued. “I think the message is there right now if someone’s interested in Watt or Highsmith. It’s worth a phone call.”
Watt, who will turn 32 this year, is coming off a season in which he had a significant dip in production. After having double digit sack totals in six of his last seven seasons, he had just seven in 2025.
Meanwhile, Highsmith, who will turn 29 this year, is coming of his second best season with 9.5 sacks in just 13 games.
Highsmith has struggled to stay healthy over the past two years, though, which could influence Pittsburgh to move on from him if they are looking to move on from one of them.
However, that doesn’t seem to be the case as of now, even if Watt could earn the Steelers a first-round pick and then some.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Insider Reveals Trade Cost For Steelers T.J. Watt
