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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end/linebacker and great quarterback hunter T.J. Watt enters 2025 with only one year remaining on his rookie contract. The former Wisconsin star signed a four-year, $112 million contract with a fifth-year option with the Steelers.
He enters that option year in 2025, which will see him earn a base salary of $21,050,000 with a cap hit of $30,418,964. And he has been worth every penny.
Watt could become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL
What the Steelers don't want is for Watt to hit free agency in a year and have to bid against virtually every other team in the league for his services.
The 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year is expected to sign a huge contract to stay in Pittsburgh and become the highest-paid defensive player in the league.
Tony Pauline of Sportskeedia believes that Watt's new deal will be more than Nick Bosa's current $34 million per season contract.
"Pittsburgh Steelers' T.J. Watt is also in the final year of his four-year, $112 million contract he signed in 2022," writes Pauline. "Watt has combined 30.5 sacks over the past two seasons, earning the Pro Bowl and multiple All-Pro honors each year. Sources say an extension now would net Watt between $35 million and $37 million annually."
Watt's numbers were down, by his standards, in 2024, but he still managed 11.5 sacks, the third-lowest figure of his young career.
His relationship with the Steelers fans and organization is expected to be a key factor in his decision to stay in Pittsburgh.