Major Update Emerges on TJ Watt's Future With the Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers locked up edge-rusher Nick Herbig to a four-year, $100 million contract extension on Wednesday, which some believed could create a dilemma regarding star pass-rusher T.J. Watt.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler was among that group, and he recently speculated that Herbig's big-money deal could force the Steelers to trade Watt, who's making $41 million per year and is due $32 million fully guaranteed next season.

"If the Steelers end up signing Herbig long term, having three large contracts allocated to one position is a tough proposition," Fowler reported. "Watt, for all his greatness, turns 32 in October and has guaranteed salaries of $32 million in both 2026 and 2027. Watt is a legacy player, something Pittsburgh values more than most. But some teams could see Pittsburgh at least considering moving on from him."

However, according to ESPN/NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, fans shouldn't expect Watt to go anywhere.

"T.J. Watt is not going anywhere this year; he is not," Rapoport stated on the "Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday. "He is going to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, after this year, I would imagine they have a decision to make one way or the other.

"T.J. Watt's contract is enormous…we have learned this week there is a price for everyone. SO, we'll see where that goes. I just know at the second-most important position, the Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot invested and are very well-situated. I just don't think anything will happen this year."

To Rapoport's point, after the Herbig extension, the Steelers have $83 million per year tied up in their top edge-rushers - Watt, Herbig, and Alex Highsmith.

Highsmith is only 28 and Herbig only 24, and Pittsburgh could favor keeping the younger, cheaper options and trading Watt next season for a bevy of draft picks.

Based on what the Cleveland Browns just got for Myles Garrett, if the Steelers did trade Watt, they could presumably get a package of at least a first-round pick plus one or two more mid-round selections.

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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 12:33 PM.