The Pittsburgh Steelers are finally seeing positive signs for the future as they work to secure key players ahead of the new season. After successfully signing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal earlier in June, the team is now turning its attention to locking down another cornerstone of the franchise—star edge rusher T.J. Watt. According to NFL insider Peter Schrager, both Watt and the Steelers are committed to finalizing a long-term contract extension before training camp begins.
Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Schrager emphasized the urgency both sides feel about reaching a deal. “I know both sides are really motivated to get something done here,” he said. He explained that neither party wants negotiations to spill into training camp, which could create distractions. While Rodgers’ signing was a major step, Schrager noted that T.J. Watt’s extension was always a priority. “DeShon Elliott is a nice player to have, but this was always going to be, let’s get Rodgers in camp, and I think the T.J. Watt has to get done.”
However, the situation is more complicated than simply agreeing on terms. Schrager suggested that Watt might be waiting to see what kind of deals other top pass rushers sign, particularly Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals. The concern is that if Watt signs a deal now, Parsons or Hendrickson could soon sign even larger contracts, potentially making Watt’s new deal look undervalued. “Is this a game of chicken,” Schrager asked, “where T.J. Watt takes a deal the Steelers offer and then a week later Micah Parsons blows his deal out of the water and we’re in the same place we were beforehand?”
This potential waiting game adds an element of strategy to the negotiations. Watt, Parsons, and Hendrickson are all among the league’s elite pass rushers and are either due or overdue for significant contract extensions. Whichever player signs first could effectively set the market for the others, encouraging each to hold out until the others make a move.
Micah Parsons, who is expected to command a record-setting extension, is currently under contract through 2025 via his fifth-year option. He has already expressed his desire for a long-term deal, which puts pressure on the Cowboys to act soon. Meanwhile, Trey Hendrickson’s situation is more contentious. He and the Bengals have been locked in a contract dispute for several months, and Hendrickson has even threatened to sit out the 2025 season if his demands are not met.
Despite these developments, T.J. Watt appears to be the closest to reaching a new agreement. The tone of the discussions and reports from insiders like Schrager suggest that the Steelers and Watt’s representatives are both acting in good faith and aiming to finalize terms before training camp begins. This would give Pittsburgh a stable foundation on defense, especially important after an offseason that has seen a significant change at quarterback.
Historically, the Steelers have not shied away from letting go of top talent if contract demands aren’t met, as seen with past stars like Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. However, the team seems more inclined to retain Watt, who remains one of the most dominant and respected defenders in the NFL.
With about a month left before training camp opens, Steelers fans should watch closely as the Watt negotiations unfold. If a deal is struck soon, it will not only secure a key player but may also shape the market for Parsons, Hendrickson, and other top pass rushers waiting in the wings.
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