Steelers Legend Nearing the End? What’s Next for the Former Defensive Player of the Year
There is no doubt that Steelers superstar edge rusher T.J. Watt has had one of the greatest careers in NFL history for an outside linebacker. He will go down alongside his brother J.J. Watt as one of the greatest of all time. The 31-year-old linebacker currently makes $41 million a year, the third-highest paid defensive player in the league. A few years ago, this salary would have been no question. Watt led the league in sacks three times in four seasons from 2020 to 2023. He had a 22.5 sack season, tying Michael Strahan for the most in a season at the time. This record was later broken by Myles Garrett, who recorded 23 sacks in the 2025 season. Watt has earned Pro Bowl honors for eight straight seasons, with four First-Team All-Pro nods, and winning the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year Award. Now, as Watt approaches his 10th NFL season, he is coming off two down years. He recorded 11.5 sacks in 2024 and just seven sacks through 14 games in 2025. With the decline of an aging superstar in the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, and the emergence of star edge rushers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig, is it time to consider that Watt’s time in the spotlight is coming to an end?
Despite recent trade buzz and scrutiny over Watt’s $123 million contract, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year will stay in Pittsburgh for the 2026 season, and likely until his eventual retirement. However, it seems as though the eight-time Pro Bowler has transitioned into a role similar to that of Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward. In an interview between Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and analyst Max Starks, McCarthy explained what was said in his initial conversations with both Watt and Heyward. The Super Bowl-winning coach said, “The Pittsburgh Steelers have an incredible history and tradition, we’re all aware of that. It also has a history of winning. Currently, T.J. and Cam are part of that, and I had early conversations with both men. They just want a chance to win it all before their career comes to an end. Basically, they both said, ‘Hey, coach, tell us what you want.’” While Watt and Heyward have both been relatively quiet since the Steelers brought in McCarthy to be their next head coach, they share a mindset of winning now, as their time truly is running out. They have not won a playoff game since 2016, before Watt was even drafted.
There has been recent buzz from former Steeler quarterback Charlie Batch about the kind of contract four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers is seeking. A big question remains: how does Pittsburgh plan to pay both Watt and Rodgers, if the 42-year-old quarterback returns for another season? According to Batch, Rodgers wants $30 million to return to Pittsburgh on a one-year deal. With Watt’s cap hit at $42 million in 2026, the Steelers are practically unable to keep their cornerstone defensive player and sign Rodgers to a new contract. Bleacher Report analyst Brad Gagnon believes the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year is one of the most overpaid players on the roster. He says, “His sack numbers have plummeted in back-to-back campaigns entering his age 32 season. The eight-time Pro Bowler is not even close to being worth that kind of money these days.” Watt’s legacy will not be tainted regardless of how the next few years play out. If Watt accepts a contract restructuring, his 2026 cap hit would be practically cut in half to $21.53 million, allowing a Rodgers signing, even if he demands $30 million. With Watt transitioning into a win before it’s too late mindset, it seems he has accepted the youth he teaches around him. Steelers fans must hope he can embrace that change for Rodgers’ return.
