A lot of the fuss surrounding the rumors between T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers is whether or not the edge rusher will become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL again.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport predicted the Steelers edge rusher will get back that prestigious title in his next deal. But Davenport’s latest contract projection for Watt on Sunday differed from what Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett received in one key way.
Davenport’s projection for Watt’s extension was a three-year deal worth $121 million. Garrett’s latest extension was a four-year contract.
“Given that gaudy production (including $11.5 sacks a year ago), making Watt one of the league’s highest paid defensive players might seem a no-brainer. But Watt’s 30, has an injury history and faded a bit late in the 2024 season,” wrote Davenport.
“Per Ari Meyer of SI and Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, it’s those age and durability issues that have caused the impasse between Watt and the Steelers—and given rise to growing speculation that Watt could be traded.
“It’s still hard to imagine the Steelers trading Watt, but it can’t be ruled out. What isn’t up for debate is that someone is going to pay him—and when they do his deal will rival (or surpass) Myles Garrett’s $40 million a season.”
While Davenport suggested the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year would sign his contract projection with the Steelers, he didn’t specifically state that.
With the $121 million deal over three seasons, Watt would just edge Garrett in average annual salary.
Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million deal with the Browns in March.
Projecting T.J. Watt’s Next Contract Extension
Now isn’t necessarily the best time for Watt to need a contract extension. Although the four-time first-team All-Pro hasn’t missed a game the past two seasons, he didn’t finish the 2024 campaign on the best note. The edge rusher also suffered an injury during Week 18 in 2023 that caused him to miss the postseason.
For that reason, age and durability are concerns around Watt with his next contract.
In 2024, Watt posted 11.5 sacks, which was his lowest sack output in a season where he played at least 15 games since his rookie 2017 campaign.
The All-Pro will turn 31 years old in October. With last season’s slight decline and his age, pundits have begun wondering whether Watt’s best playing days are behind him.
If that’s what the Steelers believe, they are unlikely to offer him a contract that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
Would Watt Settle for a Three-Year Deal?
One compromise the edge rusher and Steelers could have is a deal that includes a $40-plus million average annual salary but on a shorter term.
That’s exactly what Davenport proposed. With only a three-year extension, the Steelers would be on the hook for the contract until the edge rusher turns 34 rather than 35.
It’s not a huge difference, but it can be significant since front seven defenders typically begin to significantly decline in the early-to-mid thirties.
But with a $121 million deal over three seasons, Watt can still claim to have a higher annual salary than Garrett.
It makes sense Watt won’t receive the same extension as Garrett. While the two edge rushers both came into the league in 2017, Garrett is 14 months younger than Watt.
The Steelers edge rusher will turn 31 before Garrett turns 30.
Garrett’s extension runs through the 2030 season. He will turn 35 at the end of that campaign.
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