Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a huge splash on Monday, with their blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins dominating the NFL headlines, and they might not be done, with teams calling about the possibility of a trade for star outside linebacker T.J. Watt.
According to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN, multiple teams have been discussing whether it will be possible to trade for Watt this offseason, and while the Steelers have shown no indication they are willing to part with the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, the calls are only going to increase after Monday’s monster deal.
Schefter reported on X that today’s trade will increase the amount of outside interest in Watt, who is unhappy with his current contract situation.
The four-time All-Pro is entering the final year of a contract extension that he signed back in 2021. It’s expected that a new deal for Watt will be in the same neighborhood as the $40 million per season deal the Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett earlier this offseason.
Watt has not spoken publicly about his contract. He did not attend any of the team’s voluntary OTAs or mandatory minicamp, and faces a six-figure fine for skipping the latter event.
Watt’s brother, J.J. Watt, has expressed frustration about the timeframe for the new deal, saying the Steelers will pay more because they have waited so long to take care of their star defender.
When Watt signed his last extension in 2021, talks stretched until the opening week of the regular season, with Watt performing a “hold-in” during training camp: attending but not participating in practices.
Watt did not seem to be harmed by the delay in his preparation for the season. He tied the NFL single-season sack record in 2021 and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Insider: Steelers Trade Will Increase Outside Interest in T.J. Watt
