How J.J. Watt Reacted To T.J. Watt’s New Contract With Steelers

J.J. Watt is a proud, if not slightly jealous, big brother after seeing T.J. Watt receive a huge payday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers locked down their franchise cornerstone by signing the younger Watt to a three-year, $123 million extension, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, that makes him the league’s highest-paid defender. T.J. Watt commemorated the end of a contract standoff by posting a photo of himself flexing in a Steelers uniform on Instagram.

J.J. Watt celebrated T.J.’s ground-breaking deal with a short and sweet message.

“Earned. Deserved. Incredible,” J.J. wrote on X.

After news of his extension broke, many pointed out that T.J. will earn nearly as much over the deal’s three years as the $129.7 million that J.J. made over 12 seasons. That’s saying something considering the older sibling was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year who collected 114.5 sacks and 317 quarterback hits before retiring following the 2022 season.

J.J.’s new employer, CBS Sports, shared that salary tidbit when noting: “Sometimes being the younger brother pays off.” The NFL analyst responded by quipping that his brother is picking up the checks now.

“I swear, if this guy even lets me begin to reach for my wallet at dinner,” J.J. said.

T.J. is still chasing some of his brother’s gaudy milestones, but he’s forged his own path through eight dominant seasons. NFL GameDay noted that the 30-year-old leads the NFL in sacks (108), quarterback hits (225), tackles for loss (126) and forced fumbles (33) since arriving in 2017.

The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year made his seventh straight Pro Bowl with 27 quarterback hits and 11.5 sacks last season. He’ll keep anchoring Pittsburgh’s defense, with his brother likely calling some Steelers games in the CBS booth.

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