After reportedly tense negotiations, edge rusher T.J. Watt has agreed to a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Thursday afternoon Watt and the Steelers agreed to a three-year extension worth $123 million. The new contract gives Watt an average annual salary of $41 million.
That makes Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett previously held that title. Garrett’s extension in March 2024 earned him an average annual salary of $40 million.
Minutes after Pelissero broke the news of Watt’s extension on X, Watt posted a picture on Instagram. The picture was of Watt celebrating in his full Steelers uniform. The edge rusher didn’t include any caption along with the post.
The extension for the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year comes about a week after NFL and Steelers insiders reported the two sides were not close to an agreement.
The edge rusher’s age and disappointing finish to the 2024 season led some pundits to speculate that the Steelers weren’t willing to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league again. Watt held that title with his last contract extension, which he signed just before the 2021 season.
In 2024, the Steelers edge rusher posted 11.5 sacks, which was his fewest total in a full season since his rookie campaign.
But despite that lower-than-normal sack total, Watt still leads the NFL in sacks since he came into the league in 2017. He’s led the NFL in sacks twice and finished at least third for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award four times.
During 2021, he won that award while tying the NFL’s single-season sack record with 22.5.
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