Steelers' TJ Watt Predicted To Be A One-Helmet Guy But "Not The Highest Paid Defensive Player In The League Anymore"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the highest-paid defense in the NFL, yet the Baltimore Ravens utterly undid them in the Wild Card Round. Cameron Heyward said the loss was on the entire team and noted that the defense managed to better stop Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the second half. While he isn't wrong, that wasn't the only time the defense seemed confused. With so many large contracts on defense, fans wonder if they would be better off cleaning house.

Colin Cowherd recently suggested that they trade away superstar linebacker TJ Watt for draft picks. Many think the Steelers could get multiple early-round picks for the former Defensive Player of the Year. Watt also has the backing of fans who believe he should be allowed to go to a team where he has a real shot at winning a Super Bowl. 

Recently, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Ray Fittipaldo was asked by Joe Starkey from The Pomp and Joe Show on 93.7 The Fan if he thinks they will or should trade away Watt. Starkey said Watt plays his heart out, but frequently seemed banged up by the end of the season. He is currently under a contract extension for approximately $112 million. Now entering the final year, the Steelers would typically offer him an extension if they plan to keep him, rather than allow him to become a free agent in 2026.  

"I think you sit down with TJ," explained Fittipaldo. "I don't think he has to be the highest-paid defensive player in the league anymore. He's gonna be age 31 next October, so you're going to be paying him, theoretically for age 31, 32, 33 seasons. I think you're still going to pay him a nice penny, but maybe somewhere in that $27-28 range rather than the $30 a year he's getting now. I still think he's a really good player. He takes care of himself, but I don't think you want to throw around Joey Bosa money. It just doesn't make sense to do that, given his age."

Despite his statistical decline, Watt is among the best edge rushers in the league. While the stats may not show it, Watt consistently contributed to the defense, tying up multiple offensive linemen as he got chipped and double-teamed, which allowed his teammates to break free. In the last month or so of the season, there was a decline in the defense and Watt's production. 

He suffered an ankle injury in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and while he did not miss any games, the compressed schedule likely took a toll. There were rumors that he was possibly playing through more than the ankle. Fittipaldo was asked what he thinks it would take for the team to be willing to trade him.   

"I think he's a one-helmet guy just like Heyward," added Fittipaldo. "But I'll play the game. I'll say two ones. But he's gonna be 31 and he's going into the last year of his contract. But I don't think TJ wants that, and I don't think the Steelers want that."

The Steelers chose to extend Heyward before the 2024 season despite the protestations of fans. Heyward had one of his best seasons; at age 35, he led defensive tackles in the league for passes defended with 11. 

Could Steelers' TJ Watt Just Play Out?

While Fittipaldo believes the Steelers will extend Watt to keep him in Pittsburgh, Mark Kaboly is worried he will just play out the year. It is no secret that Watt is frustrated he has never won a playoff game. He brought it up at nearly every press conference.    

He doesn't think he would ever ask for a trade to go to another team and believes him when he says he wants to stay and win one in Pittsburgh. Watt will always be remembered as one of the best players in this storied franchise, but postseason success would help cement his legacy. 

Do you think the Steelers would or should trade Watt? Tell us what you think below! 

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