The Pittsburgh Steelers appear focused on keeping their defensive cornerstone in-house. With training camp approaching, multiple reports suggest the organization is prioritizing T.J. Watt’s contract status and is not currently exploring trade options. The front office is now working to find common ground on a resolution before the season begins.
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With training camp approaching, the Steelers have made their final decision over T.J. Watt, aiming to resolve his contract situation internally rather than field offers from rival teams – a move reported just days after Watt skipped mandatory minicamp. While trade rumors circulated in early summer, Pittsburgh’s current focus is on negotiating terms with its longest-serving defensive leader.
As reports confirmed this week, T.J. Watt’s $40M contract extension talks stall amid internal tension over Pittsburgh’s aggressive investment in Aaron Rodgers. Watt remains under his five-year, $112 million contract signed in 2021, which included $80 million in guarantees. However, the final season of that deal reportedly lacks a guaranteed salary, placing him at a disadvantage compared to newly extended edge rushers like Nick Bosa and Myles Garrett.
Aaron Rodgers officially joined the team in June on a one-year contract with a value of, $13.6 million and $10 million guaranteed. While the move was seen as a high-stakes effort to improve the team’s playoff credentials, it also intensified scrutiny over the team’s salary structure. Rodgers’ arrival puts pressure on the front office to balance veteran contracts while addressing Watt’s extension timeline.
Head coach Mike Tomlin, regarded as one of the top candidates for NFL Coach of the Year 2024 who last won a playoff game in 2016, now oversees a roster led by both aging stars and foundational talent. Watt’s absence from the minicamp in June was widely reported, and while the team has not attributed it directly to the stalled negotiations, multiple sources have linked it to frustration over unresolved contract terms. Still, no public statements from the team suggest that a trade is being considered.
Watt has consistently ranked among the league’s top defensive players since entering the NFL in 2017. He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and has twice led the league in sacks. Even after battling injuries, he has maintained Pro Bowl-level production. At 30, he remains a vital part of Pittsburgh’s defense, and many inside the league view him as a key leadership figure.
The current standoff highlights growing tension between star players and team decision-makers around long-term financial protection. Watt’s camp has reportedly pointed to the increased guarantees in contracts signed by Micah Parsons, recently featured in a speculative 2028 Olympic flag football roster, and Nick Bosa, whose deals now approach or exceed $35 million per year. In contrast, Watt’s existing deal is viewed as outdated by today’s market standards, especially given his lack of guaranteed salary in 2025.
While there’s no evidence the Steelers are considering moving Watt, the stalled negotiations leave open the possibility of further disruption if a new deal cannot be reached. At the time of writing, no trade offers are being discussed, and the front office remains publicly committed to finalizing a resolution. Still, the absence of a formal agreement means the situation remains fluid.
For now, both sides appear to be waiting. The Steelers have not commented publicly on the details of the negotiations, and Watt has not addressed the media since missing the minicamp. Whether progress is made before preseason games begin may depend on how flexible both parties are willing to be over guarantees and structure rather than total value.
The next few weeks could define not just Watt’s immediate future in Pittsburgh but the balance of the team’s long-term identity. If the front office is serious about building a contender around its existing core, retaining Watt with updated financial terms may prove as important as any offseason acquisition. What happens next will reflect not just contract math, but the team’s broader priorities heading into a high-expectation season.