Steelers Now
On Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt become the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history for the second time in his Hall of Fame career, reaching agreement on a three-year, $123 million extension that includes $108 million fully guaranteed at signing, according to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter.
Watt, who will average $41 million per year, once again tops Cleveland Browns’ edge rusher Myles Garrett as the highest-paid non-QB. Garrett was just made the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history earlier this offseason.
No player has recorded more sacks over the last five seasons than Watt, who has 73.5 during that span. In one-score games since 2021, T.J. Watt ranks first in sacks (43), forced fumbles (12) and batted passes (14), according to Pro Football Focus.
T.J. Watt got the BAG 💰 pic.twitter.com/0GYdsOP9pI
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 17, 2025
Outside of their respective teams not liking each other, Watt and Garrett also have a heated rivalry. Watt believes he was robbed from an NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2023, which did not sit well with Garrett. The Browns’ All-Pro edge rusher called out Watt after the Browns’ Week 12 win last season.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for [Watt], a lot of respect for all of the guys over there… but I’m No. 1,” Garrett said. “That’s from edge No. 1 to Defensive Player of the Year. I’m the guy. That runs through me. There’s no other person being defended as I am or schemed or planned against like I am.”
In ESPN’s annual survey that includes voting from league executives, coaches and scouts to help rank the top 10 players at 11 different positions, Garrett once again ranked ahead of T.J. Watt at the edge rusher position.
“Watt is a worthy rival to Garrett in the AFC North. His 108 career sacks rank third all time for a player’s first eight seasons, behind Reggie White (124) and DeMarcus Ware (111). He’s a near-lock for an All-Pro team every year. And he leads the NFL in forced fumbles (10) over the past two seasons, along with being second in sacks (30.5) and quarterback hits (63). But he’s stuck in the No. 2 spot for the second consecutive year while Garrett separates,” ESPN wrote.
One veteran AFC defensive coach had this to say about Watt, “He’s still the gold standard for me. He completely wrecks a game and he can do everything.”
Watt, 30, is also coming off the least-productive full season of his NFL career, which doesn’t help his price tag. However, he still proved to be a difference maker while recording 11.5 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles.
“Watt’s play lacked splash late in the season, with seven total tackles and zero sacks over his final four games including playoffs. His pass rush win rate dipped from the low-20s to 18.5%,” ESPN wrote.
An NFL coordinator added, “I thought he wore down a little bit. But their whole defense...
