The Pittsburgh Steelers are locked into an ever-changing situation with superstar pass rusher T.J. Watt. While the wide expectation has been that the two sides will work out a new contract, nothing has happened yet.
Watt is one of the best defensive players in the NFL. He wants to be paid like that.
So far, the Steelers have not been willing to meet his demands. That has led to a standoff between the two parties with training camp and preseason action right around the corner.
To this point, the trade rumors have stayed in the rumor category. No concrete reports have come out about Pittsburgh actually discussing or considering trading the superstar.
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Now, that might have changed.
According to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, the team has inquired about what return they could get in a Watt trade.
“[T]hey are obviously inquiring to see what that might be,” Kaboly said. “I’m sure that’s due diligence there at this point, right?”
Kaboly did contradict himself in a post on X after his radio appearance.
“Steelers are still in a holding pattern with T.J. Watt’s contract extension. Length of deal, guarantees and total value — basically everything, to some varying degrees — are the sticking points right now,” he wrote.
“Even so, there is no anticipation for Watt to holdout when camp starts on July 23 and there has been no inquires made to other teams about trading him, according to sources.”
Obviously, the truth is that no one really knows where Pittsburgh and Watt stand. While the two sides are still expected to get something done, that could change. A trade is still a possibility until a new deal is completed.
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Should the Steelers have any level of interest in trading Watt, there are quite a few teams around the NFL who would love to have a chance to acquire him. He is coming off of a 2024 season that saw him rack up 61 tackles, 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four defended passes.
Pittsburgh has gone all-in on competing for a Super Bowl this season. Without Watt, those chances would drop. If the Steelers can agree to a deal with him, Watt will be a huge part of their goal in 2025 and for years to come.
Expect to continue hearing updates and rumors about the situation in the coming days. Watt’s future is still very much in flux.
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