The Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a new contract extension with edge rusher T.J. Watt just last year. But unfortunately, the deal is already not aging well.
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon sees it as one of the worst contracts from a team’s perspective in the NFL.
When tasked with naming the most-overpaid player from each NFL team Friday, Gagnon picked Watt for the Steelers.
“He’s had an incredible career, but Watt’s three-year, $123 million contract makes him the third-highest-paid defensive player in the league,” Gagnon wrote. “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.”
In 2023, Watt led the league with 19 sacks. It was the third time he finished first in the NFL in sacks, and many pundits considered him a snub for the Defensive Player of the Year award that season.
So even when his sack numbers declined to 11.5 in 2024, pundits and fans argued Watt had earned his new record-breaking deal. The Steelers inked the edge rusher to a 3-year, $123 million extension.
But in 2025, Watt posted seven sacks in 14 games. That tied the edge rusher’s career low in sacks for a season where he played more than 10 games.
In 2026, Watt will have a $42 million cap hit. The edge rusher will possess a $42 million or greater cap hit through the 2028 season.
T.J. Watt Called Most-Overpaid Steelers Player
Honestly, there aren’t that many candidates for pundits to consider as overpaid Steelers players. General manager Omar Khan has been pretty smart in free agency. In other cases, the team has been flat-out cheap, like how it’s approached quarterback the past couple offseasons.
The most logical candidate for “most-overpaid” Steelers player besides Watt is probably wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
But that doesn’t mean Watt earned the overpaid label by default. Watt’s declining statistics should be a significant concern for Pittsburgh.
If the edge rusher is already declining at 31 years old, how’s he going to look at the end of his new extension at 34 years old?
As Gagnon indicates, Watt has been a terrific star in his career. He’s made four first-team All-Pros and also earned a second-team All-Pro nomination.
In addition to leading the league in sacks three times, which is more than anyone else has led the category, Watt has finished first in tackles for loss and forced fumbles each twice.
If he doesn’t get to the quarterback, Watt also has the ability to deflect passes and record interceptions. He had two picks last season.
But Watt is getting paid like he’s still the 2021 version of himself. It’s not clear Watt will ever return to that elite level again.
Will Watt Bounce Back in 2026?
If Watt does get back to his elite level, it’s likely to be in 2026 before more regression due to age sets in.
Next season, Watt will work under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. Watt was reportedly one of the most vocal supporters of former head coach Mike Tomlin when Tomlin stepped down in January. So, it’s hard to argue Watt needed a new coaching staff.
But change can often be a good thing. Perhaps Graham will have fresh ideas of how to create favorable matchups for Watt to wreck the game.
In nine NFL seasons, Watt has posted 115 sacks. He has also registered 136 tackles for loss, 36 forced fumbles and nine interception.
Steelers’ T.J. Watt Put on Notice With $42 Million Cap Hit in 2026