T.J. Watt Trade Reportedly Not Expected by NFL Execs Amid Steelers Contract Talks

Despite his desire for a new contract, there is reportedly not an expectation within the NFL that the Pittsburgh Steelers will trade superstar pass-rusher T.J. Watt.

During an appearance Tuesday on Get Up, ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said the following about Watt's situation and how NFL executives view it:

"As for the T.J. Watt situation, I was told this is sort of the cost of doing business. These negotiations get tricky, they get sticky, they're hard to go through. The Steelers remain optimistic they can try to reach a deal with Watt at some point, that would be the goal.

"Executives I've talked to at some other teams do not expect Watt to be traded. It is interesting, teams are talking about this, what it would take to potentially acquire him, but there's not a lot of feeling or a sense around the league I get that he's going to be moved."

Watt, who is entering the final year of the four-year, $112.011 million contract he signed with the Steelers in 2021, skipped the team's mandatory minicamp last month, signaling his pursuit of a new deal.

Fowler's report came on the heels of ESPN's Adam Schefter reporting Monday that teams were discussing the viability of making a run at Watt via trade.

The 30-year-old Watt entered the league as the No. 30 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft, and he has spent his entire eight-year career in Pittsburgh.

During that time, Watt has established himself as one of the truly elite pass-rushers in the league with 108 sacks in 121 regular-season games to his credit.

Watt is sixth among active players and 31st on the official all-time sacks list, and he is the Steelers' all-time leader in sacks as well.

The potential future Hall of Famer has been named a Pro Bowler in each of the past seven seasons, plus he is a four-time First Team All-Pro and one-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, plus he has four other top-five finishes in the DPOY voting to his credit.

In 2021, Watt tied Michael Strahan's single-season sack record with 22.5 en route to being named DPOY, and after missing seven games the following season, he rebounded with 19 sacks in 2023.

Last season, Watt finished with 11.5 sacks, 61 tackles and 19 tackles for loss. Although the 11.5 sacks were his fewest since his rookie year aside from the 2022 season that saw him play in only 10 games, Watt made plenty of splash plays, as evidenced by his league-leading six forced fumbles.

The Steelers have reached the playoffs in four of the past five years, but they have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season.

In an effort to get over the hump, the Steelers have been aggressive with their moves this offseason. They signed future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and acquired star wide receiver DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks.

On Monday, they sent safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in a trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith.

All those moves would perhaps be for naught if the Steelers were to trade Watt or if he were to hold out into the season since Watt is Pittsburgh's most impactful player.

Provided the two sides can work something out in time for the start of the 2025 regular season, the Steelers stand to have one of the NFL's most fearsome defenses, making them a potential dark-horse candidate to knock off the perennial AFC powers in the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens.