T.J. Watt signals willingness for extension with Steelers, altering his position on defense

T.J. Watt is quick to say he “hasn’t thought about” any of the specifics of a potential contract extension or when it might get agreed to over the now-started offseason.

But the star outside linebacker — one of the best defensive players in the history of one of the NFL’s franchises most identified for stellar defense — left it clear he has every intention of not only remaining with that team but also retiring as part of it.

“I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Watt said Monday from the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “You guys know that. I don’t want to leave this place, especially in this (state, after another first-round playoff loss). I want to be part of the solution.”

TJ Watt on it kinda feeling like “Groundhog Day” the 3rd week of January every year after the Steelers lose a wild-card round playoff game pic.twitter.com/Gil0YBd5xL

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) January 13, 2025

Watt, who turned 30 this season, is entering the final year of a four-year, $112 million extension signed in 2021. He is due $21.05 million in base salary on a $30.4 million salary-cap hit. The Steelers negotiate contract extensions with players over the offseason and preseason of the year before their current deals expire.

Negotiations between the team and Watt 3 ½ years ago extended to the 11^th hour, and the deal was agreed to just days before that year’s regular-season opener.

Watt is the Steelers’ career leader in sacks with 108 over eight seasons. He played all 17 games for a second consecutive season in 2024, but his sack production (11 ½) lagged behind the five seasons of 13-or-more sacks Watt had put up previously.

The finalists for AP NFL defensive player of the year have not been announced yet but Watt could be a finalist (top three in the voting) for a fifth time. Despite an NFL-most six forced fumbles, it seems unlikely Watt will win the award for a second time. After being first-team All Pro edge defender in each of his past four full (or near-full) seasons, Watt was “only” second-team All Pro in honors announced Friday.

Watt on Monday referenced his — by his own standards — “down” season, and he signaled a heightened willingness to more often rush the passer from other spots on the defense. Traditionally, Watt has had a rigid tendency to rush from the quarterback’s right side (the left side of the defense).

“I prefer the left, but at this point in my career, I want to be an impact player,” Watt said. “I don’t want to be schemed out of games. I want to be able to deliver the football in good field positions or take the ball away. It wasn’t a good enough year for myself when it comes to that.”