Evaluating T.J. Watt’s Future with the Steelers in 2026

With the 2025 season ending in a disappointing loss to the Texans, it is time for the Steelers’ front office to start looking toward the future. I know the title of this article may sound extreme, but just one year into T.J. Watt’s extension, it is fair to question whether retaining him at his current price point is still in the team’s best interest.

Last offseason, the Steelers found themselves in a difficult position. Their division rival Cleveland reset the market by extending Myles Garrett to the largest non-quarterback contract in league history. With their own star pass rusher due for an extension, the Steelers’ leverage was limited. Ultimately, they signed Watt to a three-year extension averaging $41 million per year. Unfortunately, the end of the 2024 season and much of the 2025 campaign left plenty to be desired from the second-highest-paid edge rusher in football.

In 2025, Watt finished with just seven sacks despite missing only three games. More concerning than the raw numbers is the apparent loss of the game-changing presence that once defined his play. Meanwhile, Myles Garrett, who is only one year younger than Watt, just produced the best season of his career, breaking Watt’s single-season sack record. While it’s reasonable to hope Watt can return to his Defensive Player of the Year form, entering his early 30s makes that outcome far from certain.

One of Watt’s greatest strengths throughout his career has been his explosive first step combined with elite bend around the edge. Now 31 years old, that burst appears to be diminishing. This presents a challenge, as Watt has historically relied heavily on speed to win off the line. His ability to threaten tackles with pure explosiveness forced them to overcompensate, opening up his full arsenal of finesse and counter moves. Without that initial speed threat, his margin for error narrows significantly. While Watt is still a capable and productive player, there is growing evidence that his peak years may already be behind him.

So, will the Steelers actually move on from Watt anytime soon? The short answer is no. With $108 million in guaranteed money and a projected dead cap hit of roughly $94 million if they were to part ways with him in 2026, the Steelers have virtually no flexibility to do so. Realistically, the contract becomes escapable only in 2028. Watt is set to account for 13.8 percent of the team’s salary cap next season, and with a potential regime change at head coach, it’s difficult to imagine the Steelers avoiding some form of rebuild, despite their long-standing resistance to that label.

That leaves the organization with two realistic options: ride out the remainder of Watt’s contract or explore a trade to a contender. Given his cap hit and recent production, it’s hard to envision the Steelers receiving more than a second-round pick in return, even for a player of Watt’s stature.

As much as I’ve enjoyed watching Watt in the black and gold, his future in Pittsburgh may not be as secure as it once seemed. Like most Steelers fans, I would love to see him retire as one of the greatest players in franchise history. However, at his current contract value, Watt risks becoming more of a liability than an asset if he’s unable to rebound next season.