Why Former Steelers Insider Would Trade T.J. Watt In ‘Heartbeat’

The Pittsburgh Steelers are loaded with tough decisions this offseason, including one centered around All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt.

Watt, who Pittsburgh selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026. That leaves a few options on the table for the Steelers to consider, and according to former NFL writer Ed Bouchette, the answer is simple: trade the 30-year-old.

“I’d either let him play out his deal, or, this is blasphemy, I’d trade him. They were gonna let (Troy) Polamalu go if he didn’t retire,” Bouchette said on “The PM Show” on 93.7 The Fan. “I don’t know, I just think (Watt) has a special place here, but me, I’m gonna be Bill Belichick here. I’m gonna be cutthroat. I’m saying we’re not winning this year, probably not winning next year.”

It’s been eight years since Watt debuted with the franchise, and the Wisconsin product already has a convincing Hall of Fame case. Watt has accumulated seven Pro Bowl nods, four First-Team All-Pro honors, has led the league in forced fumbles twice and was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. He’s put together a resume that measures up to the franchise’s greats, making Bouchette’s proposal controversial.

Pittsburgh has already expressed its feelings — loud and clear — in regards to Watt’s contract situation.

“T.J. is one of those legacy guys,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL Scouting Combine, per TribLIVE’s Joe Rutter. “I was around Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu, and those guys spent their entire careers with us, and that’s a special thing. I’m hopeful and confident that T.J. will be one of those guys.”

Watt signed a four-year, $121 million contract with the Steelers in 2021 and is set to earn $21 million this upcoming season.

This past season turned into an abrupt setback, both for Watt and the Steelers. Watt suffered a Week 15 ankle injury against the Philadelphia Eagles and failed to record a single tackle in Pittsburgh’s AFC wild-card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, the team suffered a five-game losing streak to end its season.

If the Steelers decide to trade Watt, it likely won’t be well-received among the already-frustrated Pittsburgh fan base.

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