Former seven-time Pro Bowler TJ Watt is eligible for a new contract but he could entertain a trade offer. According to multiple reports , Watt desires to stay in Pittsburgh as he will be looking for a new deal since his current contract expires after the 2025 season. However, the Steelers might be reluctant to that idea since the George Pickens trade rumors have been heating up and that could turn to the team wanting to trade Watt as well. This is all just speculation but the wild-card loss was brutal against the Baltimore Ravens to know that the Steelers don’t have a consistent signal-caller on the offense.
There’s no word on what head coach Mike Tomlin will do when it comes to Russell Wilson and Justin Fields but if the Steelers continue to be “one and done,” that might be what stops Watt from signing an extension. Especially, if the team doesn’t give him an extension, he may have to sit out of workouts to demand the contract he deserves since they have Pickens to worry about paying sooner rather than later. Originally selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the former 2021 Defensive Player of the Year has become the keystone player in the Steelers’ pass-rushing unit, recording 108 sacks and 462 total tackles over his career.
While he wants to stay in Pittsburgh, Watt may never reach the ceiling staying with the same as long as Tomlin is head coach. The Steelers have yet to figure out success in the postseason so it shouldn’t be surprising if Watt receives some type of trade interest this offseason.
TJ Watt Eligible for Contract Extension – Could Entertain Trade Offers?
Next Possible Teams
Baltimore Ravens
While the Baltimore Ravens have one of the most explosive offenses this season, the defense has yet to show their true colors of that same replication. Since losing Jadeveon Clowney, Geno Stone and Patrick Queen, the Ravens made a few adjustments to depend on Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo to build some type of reliability. However, even though Oweh is performing up to standards, it hasn’t been the same for Ojabo. Roquan Smith and Kyle Van Noy are still the best pass rushers in this unit so they need some balance to keep the defense ferocious.
No one should expect the Steelers to trade their best pass rusher to Baltimore but Watt checkmarks everything the Ravens are looking for.
Kansas City Chiefs
The same could be said about the Kansas City Chiefs. Nick Bolton and Josh Uche will become free agents in 2025 so that leaves significant gaps in their linebacker unit. The downside about that is the Chiefs don’t have the funds this upcoming offseason to pull off a trade to improve either side of the ball so they might have to risk at least the offense or defense. Patrick Mahomes is one of the greatest arm passers in the league, he might excel without DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown if they don’t return.
However, as the defense is getting younger, the Chiefs should consider adding a few veterans like Watt if they could make that happen. It would prevent the team from getting too inexperienced which could cost them a ton of success in future postseasons.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have strong momentum in their stride as they have one of the strongest defenses despite losing standout Aidan Hutchinson . Quarterback Jared Goff has kept the team together like glue throwing in the aerial attack to Amon-Ra St. Brown, but if they fall out of the postseason early against the Commanders, they should go big to make a trade. Watt and Hutchinson sounds like a scary duo that the rest of the league can’t afford to see but it might happen if the Lions are motivated.
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