Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager is hopeful that the team can get an extension done with linebacker T.J. Watt.
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Cleveland Browns and star edge rusher Myles Garrett agreed to a record-setting contract extension that averages $40 million per year. Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan knows that just raised the price for linebacker T.J. Watt, who is also due for an extension with one year left on his contract.
“I don’t expect salaries to go down,” Khan said. “So I expect them to keep increasing year-to-year.”
There has been some speculation that the Steelers could move on from Watt, who is coming off a bit of a down year at 30. In 2024, he registered the third least sacks in a season (11.5) in his career. The other two seasons were his rookie year (seven sacks) and 2022 (5.5 sacks) when he played in just 10 games due to a knee injury.
However, Watt shut down those rumors following the 2024 season.
“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.”
On Monday, Khan reiterated a similar sentiment.
“I’m not going to get into the contract numbers,” Khan said. “I’ll just say that I’m very hopeful that T.J. will finish his career as a Steeler.”
It remains to be seen what Watt’s next contract will look like and whether he’ll make more than Garrett, but it’s safe to assume he’ll get a massive raise from what he’s currently making, nonetheless.
Watt’s current deal pays him an average annual salary of $28 million, which is currently sixth among edge rushers. That will not be the case for much longer, though.
The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, four-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler has amassed 462 tackles (331 solo), 108 sacks, 33 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, seven interceptions and 50 passes defensed in his eight-year NFL career.
Alan Saunders contributed reporting from Palm Beach, Fla.
