The Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of questions to answer before the 2025 NFL season starts. All eyes are going to be on the 2025 NFL Draft to see if Pittsburgh actually pulls the trigger on a quarterback in what is widely considered a weak class. While that plays out, there’s still the ongoing Aaron Rodgers saga. The Steelers have pursued Rodgers all offseason, and all signs are pointing to the two sides coming together. But the longer it drags on, the more doubt and awkward situations are developing behind closed doors in the Steel City.
ESPN
Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on during a home game with the team.
The future of star pass rusher TJ Watt is front and center in all of this. Watt is entering the final season of his contract, and the Steelers have already hurt themselves by waiting too long to extend him. Now, they’re likely to pay far more than they would have had they just gotten the deal done earlier. The prolonged uncertainty around his extension has put the Steelers in a tricky situation, and the Rodgers pursuit only adds to the tension.
According to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, who spoke on 93.7 The Fan on Monday, the Rodgers saga might be seriously hurting the chances of Watt finishing his career in Pittsburgh. Kaboly pointed out that the more time the Steelers spend chasing Rodgers, the more they risk alienating key players like Watt, whose future in Pittsburgh becomes even more uncertain with each passing day of this ongoing drama.
"I think the hang-up is, they [Steelers] wanna see what Aaron Rodgers is gonna get," Kaboly said, speaking on 93.7 The Fan on Monday. "And whatever is left, they might say, 'Okay, TJ, this is it.'"
Watt is now 30 years old, and while he has already solidified his place as one of the greatest Steelers of all-time, his career has been overshadowed by a lack of postseason success in Pittsburgh. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and while that’s not directly his fault, it’s undeniably impacting his legacy. Despite his elite play, Watt’s individual success hasn’t translated into team triumphs. In fact, Watt is arguably the main reason the Steelers have remained competitive in recent years, despite struggling to find a franchise quarterback.
AP Photo / Matt Durisko
Steelers' TJ Watt meets with Browns' Myles Garrett after a game.
Watt is expected to demand top-tier money, especially with the market soaring, with players like Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett securing contracts worth $40 million a year. Many Steelers experts believe Watt might not surpass that figure, and that could create friction. Watt, who’s given everything to the team, may feel undervalued if his contract negotiations fall short of the market standard.
Recently, Watt stirred up even more speculation with a cryptic post on his Instagram story, where he was seen holding up a peace sign. The seemingly simple gesture sent waves through Steeler Nation, sparking intense debate over what it truly meant and whether it signaled dissatisfaction with his current situation.
As the offseason drags on and questions about his future loom larger, the pressure on both Watt and the Steelers to resolve these issues continues to build. With the team facing a crossroads and the Rodgers saga taking center stage, the tension surrounding Watt’s contract could be the next chapter in an increasingly complicated narrative for Pittsburgh’s star.
Steelers' Cam Heyward Went Through This In The 2024 Offseason
Steelers superstar defensive lineman Cam Heyward faced a similar situation in the 2024 offseason, seeking a new deal after playing through a groin injury in 2023. Fans were unsure if his down season was due to age or the injury. However, Heyward proved the Steelers were right to extend him, playing at an All-Pro level in 2024 despite his age.
Getty Images
Steelers' Cameron Heyward, TJ Watt, and Minkah Fitzpatrick celebrate after a big defensive play against the Atlanta Falcons.
Although Heyward skipped Organized Team Activities for the first time in his career, he ultimately got the deal he wanted. Many fans expect the same outcome for Watt, but the ongoing Rodgers saga has complicated matters. The longer the focus remains on Rodgers, the more it risks overshadowing Watt’s contract situation and legacy in Pittsburgh.
#SteelerNation
