Steelers Sign T.J. Watt, Squeeze By Contenders in Latest NFL Defense Ranking

Well that was close. The Pittsburgh Steelers avoided a potential training camp holdout by signing All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt to a record-setting contract Thursday.

The Steelers gave Watt, 30, a three-year, $123 million contract extension. The deal makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

The agreement caps a frenetic offseason for the Steelers. Pittsburgh also signed four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers and traded for wide receiver DK Metcalf, tight end Jonnu Smith and cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Pittsburgh inked Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million contract extension in March. That means the team has spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars on just two players. Clearly, it’s Super Bowl or bust for the all-in Steelers.

So what does Watt’s return mean for a Steelers defense which swapped out safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the Ramsey trade? According to NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice, Pittsburgh has the No. 10 defense in the NFL. The Steelers squeezed ahead of the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Chargers and San Francisco 49ers.

“With Watt as the centerpiece, Pittsburgh boasts one of the very best defensive lines in football,” Filice wrote. “Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig provide enviable edge-rushing depth, while Cam Heyward continues to stiff-arm Father Time on the interior. Add in second-year pro Keeanu Benton and rookie first-round pick Derrick Harmon, and the Steelers are absolutely loaded up front.

“But what’s the story on the back end? Pittsburgh suffered an unacceptable amount of coverage busts last season, precipitating last month’s trade of Minkah Fitzpatrick,” Filice added. “The Steelers landed Jalen Ramsey as part of their return in that deal and also signed Darius Slay in free agency. With those two veteran corners in the fold, Joey Porter Jr. has less of a target on his back, which should help him rebound from a sophomore slump.

“The safety position is an area of concern in the wake of Fitzpatrick’s departure, with free-agent signee Juan Thornhill in line to fill the role in center field. That said, I continue to think DeShon Elliott is one of the more underappreciated players in the league. The strong safety’s hard-hitting style fits perfectly in Pittsburgh, making June’s two-year, $12.5 million extension a no-brainer value play,” Filice concluded.

Steelers fans will get their first look at the revamped defense next week when players report to training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa.

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