Steelers A to Z: With new contract finalized, T.J. Watt can focus on elusive playoff win

Editor’s note: From now until reporting day to training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2025 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 12 and July 23. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

OLB T.J. WATT

Experience/age: Ninth season, turns 31 in October

Contract status: $23.4 million cap hit for 2025 after agreeing to new contract, signed through 2028

The past: Watt’s contract uncertainty hovered over the Steelers organization for much of the offseason until the team’s all-time sacks leader agreed to a four-year contract on Thursday that included a three-year extension worth $123 million. The average of $41 million a season is the highest for any non-quarterback in NFL history, and is $1 million more per year than Cleveland edge rusher Myles Garrett is getting on his new deal.

Watt did not attend mandatory minicamp while seeking his new deal, and he is coming off a disappointing finish to his 2024 season. Watt didn’t have a sack in any of his final four games, counting postseason, and was held without a stat in his final two games. For the season, his 11.5 sacks were his fewest in a non-injury year since 2017.

Watt holds the franchise record with 108 sacks and has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the past seven seasons. He was named the NFL defensive player of the year in 2021 when he tied the single-season sacks record with 22.5. Watt also has been a finalist for the award on four other occasions.

TJ Watt talks about his two forced fumbles. pic.twitter.com/7oeXcpkuta

— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) October 13, 2024

2025 outlook: With his contract completed, Watt will report to training camp along with the rest of his teammates Wednesday. Watt’s mission will be to live up to the massive contract. The last time he received a new deal, on the eve of the 2021 opener, he had his best NFL season. Watt will be tasked with being one of the league’s top pass rushers again.

Watt also will try to erase the stigma that he can’t win in the playoffs. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since Watt’s arrival in 2017, and he has just one sack in four postseason games. The Steelers also haven’t been competitive defensively in those playoff losses.

When Steelers players cleaned out their lockers in January, Watt was one of the few players to face the media. He vowed to be “part of the solution” to the team’s playoff woes and said it is his single biggest motivation.