Pittsburgh, PA – July 10, 2025
He’s the soul of this defense. The face of this era. And somehow… he’s still waiting.
Steelers fans woke up this week with a knot in their stomachs. Not because of a loss, not because of injuries — but because T.J. Watt, the one man who’s bled for Pittsburgh every Sunday, still hasn’t received the contract extension he deserves.
You can feel it in the air. Something’s not right.
This isn’t just any player. This is the guy who tied the NFL sack record in 2021, won Defensive Player of the Year, and played through pain when others sat. The guy who never complained, never chased the spotlight — just lined up and hunted quarterbacks for the Black and Gold. Ask any fan and they’ll say the same: “When you think of the Steelers, you think of T.J.”
But now, insiders are whispering. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, some league voices believe Watt “wore down” late in 2024 — recording just seven tackles and zero sacks in his final four games. NFL insider Mike Florio took it further, saying on 93.7 The Fan:
“You never pay a guy for what he's done… It’s ‘what are you doing for me right now, and what do I expect you to do for me tomorrow?’”
That might be “common sense” in boardrooms. But it doesn’t sit right with the fans who’ve seen Watt give this city everything he has. The man turns 31 this October, sure — but he’s still one of the most feared defenders in the game. And he's asking for a deal better than Myles Garrett’s $160M contract with $123.5M guaranteed.
Some say it’s too risky. That it’s not worth betting on a veteran edge rusher.
But ask yourself this: What message does it send if Pittsburgh hesitates to pay its heart and soul?
Watt is entering the final year of his deal. If no extension is done before September 7, he could sit games or pull a 2021 — showing up to camp but participating only in individual drills. No drama. Just silence. The kind that stings.
He’s not asking for a trophy. He’s asking for respect. And if the Steelers are truly “all in,” then there should be no hesitation.
Because when this team takes the field without No. 90… it won’t feel like the Steelers anymore.
Stay tuned to ESPN for more on the future of Pittsburgh’s most beloved warrior.
