Steelers Insider: T.J. Watt’s Future Won’t Be Impacted By Aaron Rodgers Pursuit

The Pittsburgh Steelers still haven’t signed T.J. Watt to a contract extension, even though the seven-time Pro Bowler is set to hit free agency next offseason.

However, the organization’s deeply invested pursuit of 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t play a factor in a potential extension for Watt, according to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly. Watt, 30, is set to earn $21 million this upcoming season, and the homegrown linebacker has been among the fan base’s biggest concerns this offseason.

“I was told that one has nothing to do with the other,” Kaboly wrote in a Steelers mailbag.

Kaboly added: “You can be worried about a lot of things concerning the 2025 Steelers, but locking up Watt long term isn’t one of them. It’s just a matter of when the Steelers offer him $40 million a season and the guaranteed portion that goes along with that. Will he sign before (Michah) Parsons or (Trey) Hendrickson? Your guess is as good as mine, but I don’t think that will affect Watt’s market value one way or the other. Be patient. Watt will sign sooner or later.”

Pittsburgh selected Watt in the first round (30th overall) in the 2017 NFL Draft, and the younger brother of J.J. Watt has since become a cornerstone for the franchise. He suffered an ankle injury during Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles last season, but still managed to finish as a finalist for the league’s defensive player of the year award — which he won in 2021.

So it’s understandable why some fans might be concerned. The Steelers already spent $150 million to retain wideout DK Metcalf before ever suiting up for the team, begging the question: How much longer until Watt’s payday?

The organization has expressed its interest in keeping Watt on board long-term.

“T.J. is one of those legacy guys,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said in February, 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.”

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