BREAKING: T.J. Watt gets 100% honest on Steelers future with shock move
T.J. Watt has been a cornerstone of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense since being drafted in 2017, but with only one year remaining on the $112 million extension he signed in 2021, his future in Pittsburgh beyond 2025 is uncertain.
When asked about his long-term plans on Monday, Watt made it clear he hopes to stay with the Steelers for years to come. Speaking to reporters, he expressed his loyalty to the franchise and his commitment to being part of the solution to their struggles.
Via Brooke Pryor of ESPN:
“I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler. You guys know that. I don’t want to leave this place, especially in this — I want to be part of the solution. I’ve put so much into it here. I’ve seen so many guys. I mean, I want to help Cam Heyward get to where we need to get.
“I love the people here. And that goes beyond just the coaches; it’s the fan base, it’s the people, the community, and we owe it to them to get it right. And I want to be part of the solution, not leave here and go somewhere else. That’s not my intention at all.”
Watt’s impact on the Steelers is undeniable. Despite the team’s 0-5 playoff record since drafting him, Watt is a four-time All-Pro, seven-time Pro Bowler, and a former Defensive Player of the Year. In 2024, he recorded 11.5 sacks, 61 tackles, and 27 quarterback hits, further cementing his status as one of the NFL’s elite pass-rushers.
The Steelers’ season ended on a sour note with a five-game losing streak, capped by a Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Watt took partial responsibility for the disappointing finish:
“It’s tough. We sit here the same time as last year, the same time as I’ve been in this scrum, and same questions, and I have the same answers. Obviously, I’m very frustrated with how things ended, and that’s not just with the last game, that’s the last month of football.
“It’s a collection of things, and it starts with myself. I need to play better. We need to play better. There’s not one thing that needs to be fixed here. There’s a lot of things, but it starts internally with myself and needing to play better in bigger moments, and it’ll be a long offseason to sit with that.”
Watt struggled in the final two games, failing to record a tackle, which will likely fuel his motivation heading into 2025. For the Steelers, retaining Watt could be crucial to turning their fortunes around in the coming years.