Steelers' TJ Watt Likely To Use His Brother As Contract Negotiations Continue With Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been talked about constantly throughout the 2025 offseason due to their bizarre quarterback situation. The organization continues to wait for a decision from veteran Aaron Rodgers, which has proven to be a long and drawn out process. There is plenty of speculation surrounding the team as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, but the organization also has to worry about the future of outside linebacker, TJ Watt, as he is coming up on the final year of his contract.

Watt has been one of the best defenders in the NFL since being drafted in 2017. He is known as the best game-wrecker throughout the NFL, as he is constantly getting to the quarterback and stripping the ball free. He is more than just a sack artist, as he excels in stopping the run and has been known to be active in pass coverage. This was a big offseason for the outside linebackers and premier edge rushers throughout the league, as Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby both got paid handsomely by their respective teams. Micah Parsons is also due for a big payday, and it should be assumed that Watt wants to be paid more than those guys.

The star defender made a stir on Wednesday when he made a cryptic post of him walking off the field throwing up the peace sign, and it has been speculated that this is related to contract discussions. If the two sides continue to disagree on a deal, team insider Mark Kaboly believes Watt could make a stir through his brother, which he shared on his podcast Kaboly + Mack.

"JJ [Watt] will be his mouthpiece, he probably will be," Kaboly said.

Kaboly means that JJ Watt will be in the media and in the public eye making some comments in defense of TJ. TJ is a relatively private person, which is why the post on his Instagram story recently carries so much weight. He is not making countless appearances on podcasts dishing out his opinions, he is more to himself. JJ has some media jobs and is active on social media, so fans may see some comments regarding the situation from him instead.

JJ has been outspoken about TJ in the past. He has made a few public appearances during the 2025 offseason where he criticized the organization for not getting an extension done with TJ during the 2024 offseason, which would have made things cheaper for the franchise. The Steelers are extremely stubborn in their ways, and the organization does not extend players before they are entering the final year of their deal. It's similar to how the Steelers do not conduct contractual business within the season, they don't budge from these rules -- even though it would seemingly help the team to do so.

Crosby and Garrett have now both been paid, and Watt is likely going to want to beat the numbers on those two contracts. The same goes for Parsons if he ends up signing a new deal with the Dallas Cowboys before an extension gets done with Watt. This will be something to keep an eye on as the offseason continues, as most extensions in Pittsburgh don't get done until August.

Steelers' TJ Watt Could Request To Be Traded

If the contract discrepancy continues to grow between the two sides, TJ could certainly ask to be traded. At this point in his career, he deserves whatever he asks for from the organization, and he has to be frustrated after the way the 2025 offseason has been handled so far. Pittsburgh still does not have a solidified starting quarterback on the roster, and TJ has been adamant that all he wants to do is win. 

TJ has to be doubting the way the franchise does things based on the fact that he has not won a playoff game up until this point in his career. This paired with not having a deal done yet could be enough for the defender to ask out.

What do you think about JJ possibly speaking up for TJ in the near future? Let us know in the comments below!

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